Develop some good digital skills has become essential This is relevant both for working professionals and for those seeking employment or preparing to enter the job market. It's no longer just about knowing how to use a computer, but about understanding how technology permeates our work, our relationship with public administrations, and how we access information.
In Spain, various [mechanisms/systems] are being deployed digital skills training programs promoted by the central and regional governments, professional associations, and third-sector organizations. They all rely on the National Digital Skills Plan and in the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR), funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, with the aim of improving employability, reducing social gaps and accelerating the digital transformation of companies and services.
Digital Skills Training Program for Regulated Professions
One of the pillars of this educational ecosystem is the Digital Skills Training Program for registered professionals in Spain. This initiative is driven by Red.es within the National Digital Skills Plan and is aimed at strengthening the technological mastery of those who practice regulated professions and are attached to General Councils and Professional Associations at the state level.
The program is aimed at active professionals, salaried people and unemployed people linked to professional associations, with the support of Professional Union as the entity responsible for centralized coordination and management. This allows the training program to reach different professions in a consistent manner, while adapting the content to the specific needs of each sector, from healthcare to social services, including law, pharmacy, and engineering.
Each training itinerary has a total of 150 hours durationThese programs are designed to ensure that knowledge doesn't remain theoretical, but rather translates into real improvements in daily professional practice. The goal is for participants to be able to apply what they have learned to modernize the services they provide. to drive the digital transformation of their organizations and at the same time, strengthen their career development.
The academic structure is based on two large complementary blocksOn the one hand, there is a common module that serves as a cross-cutting foundation for any professional profile, and on the other, a specialized block with content tailored to each Council or College. This combination ensures a minimum level of shared digital skills without sacrificing the specificity required by each field.
In concrete terms, the program establishes a common block of 40 hours with useful content for any profession, regardless of the sector. In addition to this a specific block of 110 hoursTailored to the needs, challenges, and specific circumstances of each professional group, this allows a social worker, a pharmacist, or a lawyer to share a similar digital foundation, while then delving deeper into tools, regulations, and scenarios specific to their practice.
European DigComp framework and key areas of digital competence
Most of these programs are not designed from scratch, but rather rely on a common reference point: the European Digital Competence Framework for Citizens, known as DigComp (version 2.2)This framework, promoted by the European Commission, defines what it means be digitally competent in professional and personal life, and organizes skills in various areas and levels.
In the context of training for regulated professions, training pathways are structured around five major key areas inspired by DigComp. The first is the information and data literacyThis encompasses everything from locating and filtering relevant information to critically evaluating and managing it in an organized manner. Here, for example, you'll learn how to find reliable online resources, manage industry-specific databases, and use tools to store and retrieve documents.
The second area focuses on the communication and collaboration in digital environmentsSkills covered include the professional use of email, collaborative platforms, videoconferencing, and virtual work environments. Special attention is also given to netiquette, digital identity, and communication with users, patients, or clients through online channels, always ensuring respectful and effective interaction.
Thirdly appears the digital content creationThis module encompasses the creation and editing of documents, presentations, multimedia materials, and web resources, as well as an understanding of copyright and licensing. It covers everything from advanced office tools to content management systems for websites, basic video editing, and the design of informational and educational materials tailored to different audiences.
The fourth area, dedicated to the digital securityThis is becoming increasingly important. It includes aspects such as device protection, password management, network security, privacy, and safeguarding sensitive data, which is especially critical in professions that handle personal, health, social, or financial information. Guidelines are also being developed to prevent threats such as phishing, malware, and identity theft.
Finally, the fifth key area deals with the technological problem solvingThe aim is not for participants to become technical staff, but rather to be able to identify common issues, apply basic solutions, use digital tools creatively, and adapt to new applications and environments. This capacity for continuous learning is essential in a rapidly evolving digital context.
Sectoral example: Digital skills program for Social Work
A very illustrative example of how this type of initiative takes shape is the Digital Skills Program promoted by the General Council of Social WorkThis proposal, in collaboration with Unión Profesional and Red.es, is part of the... Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and has European funding through the instrument NextGenerationEU.
The objective of this specific program is for social work professionals to be able to manage digital tools applied to their daily practiceAdapting to new intervention scenarios, inter-institutional coordination, and case management in increasingly digitalized contexts. It's not just about knowing how to use software, but about integrating technology into social work methodology without losing sight of the ethical and rights-based approach.
Among the benefits highlighted for participants is the possibility of Learn to use digital applications and resources geared towards Social WorkFrom case management platforms to communication tools for users, families, and other professionals. It also strengthens the capacity to collect, analyze and protect data, a key aspect in the evaluation of situations, preparation of reports and design of evidence-based interventions.
Another aspect highlighted is the development of skills for create, share and work with digital content Relevant materials for the groups served include informational materials, awareness-raising resources, social education content, and internal documentation for teams and coordination networks. Furthermore, confidence is strengthened in the face of the challenges of digitalization, so that professionals feel more prepared for technological changes and not perceive technology as a barrier, but as an ally.
At the end of the program, those who successfully complete the training receive a 150 hour certificateThis accreditation certifies the skills acquired. It not only enhances a CV but also reflects a commitment to continuous professional development, something increasingly valued by both government agencies and organizations in the Third Sector and social services.
Structure, methodology and format of the training
The program focused on Social Work shares the same structure of 150 hours divided into a common block of 40 hours and a specific block of 110 hours Adapted to the realities of the profession. The cross-cutting section addresses content applicable to any professional field (basic digital literacy, online communication, security, etc.), while the specialized section delves into tools and cases specific to social intervention.
Within those 150 hours, the programming combines online training and face-to-face activitiesA modality is contemplated in which the following are taught: 40 online hours corresponding to the common block and 80 online hours of the specific block, to which are added 20 hours in person and 10 hours of webinarsThis mix of formats allows for the necessary flexibility to combine training with professional practice, without sacrificing spaces for meeting and working live.
In the methodological part, the focus is on a applied and practice-oriented trainingBeyond theoretical classes, the program includes exercises, case studies, simulations, and reflective activities that help participants apply digital concepts to their daily professional lives. The goal is for each participant to gradually incorporate what they have learned into their specific work context, whether in public social services, social organizations, residential care facilities, or community projects.
This methodological approach is replicated in other programs for regulated professions, adapting the examples and scenarios to each sector. In this way, learning is not limited to a list of tools, but is linked to routine work processes, communication flows, user relations and regulatory requirements such as data protection or electronic administration.
In all cases, the approach follows the logic of the National Digital Skills Plan: It is not enough to simply operate devices; one must know how to use them safely, critically, productively, and inclusively.That is why content on digital ethics, accessibility, gender equality and the fight against the digital divide is integrated, which is especially relevant in areas such as social services, healthcare or education.
IKANOS Program: Professional Digital Skills in the Basque Country
Another prominent example in the landscape of digital training in Spain is the Professional Digital Skills program based on the IKANOS model, promoted in the Basque Country. In this case, the focus is primarily on Basque companies, with the aim of strengthening the digital skills of their employees and, thereby, improving their competitive position.
This program mobilizes €2.000.000 in financial aid aimed at implementing the IKANOS system in organizations in the Basque Country. The main objective is for companies to be able to analyze the level of digital skills of their staff. Identify strengths and areas for improvement and define a skills development roadmap aligned with their business strategies and the European DigComp framework.
In this context, professional digital skills are conceived as a key tool for the advancement of organizationsbecause they allow companies to increase their competitiveness, optimize processes, introduce innovations, and strengthen their market presence. To achieve this, it is crucial to understand the specific situation of each company: not all start from the same level or face the same challenges in terms of digitalization.
The IKANOS program offers Specialized advice from experts in human resources and digitalization to the participating companies. These advisory teams apply a structured methodology that allows them to assess the digital skills of the workforce, generate personalized reports and propose improvement actions adapted to each organizational reality, always free of charge for the beneficiary companies.
The IKANOS methodology is structured as a continuous improvement model based on the DigComp frameworkThis defines a process with different phases: diagnosis, planning, implementation of training activities, and follow-up. Based on this personalized roadmap, each company can establish realistic objectives and rely on practical tools that will subsequently facilitate the deployment of specific training plans for its team.
Digital skills for vulnerable children and youth (CODI)
Digitalization is not only addressed from the perspective of professionals and companies. There are also initiatives aimed at reducing the digital divide in childhood and youth, especially in households with economic difficulties. Within this framework lies the program “Digital Skills for Children"(CODI), integrated into the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
This program is part of the action called "Digital skills for the fight against child poverty", included in Measure 3 of Investment Line 1 of Component 19 of the aforementioned Plan. It has a budget of 220 millones de euros and its purpose is to offer training in digital skills to 950.000 children, adolescents and young people at risk of digital exclusion in Spanish territory.
The State Secretariat for Youth and Childhood, responsible for the initiative, places special emphasis on minors who are in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerabilityThese children and adolescents often live in homes with limited resources and face a triple disadvantage in the digital sphere: less access to the internet, insufficient equipment, and a less educational use of technologies.
On one hand, one observes inequalities in access to connectivityThis is due to a lack of quality broadband, insufficient mobile data plans, or unstable contracted services. Added to this is the digital divide. equipment available at homeMany minors only have a shared mobile phone or old devices, which hinders advanced use of digital tools.
The third component of this disadvantage relates to the type of internet use. Data from the 2018 PISA study for Spain shows that Most children from disadvantaged households use the internet very intensively. (52% spend between 4 and 6 hours a day on average during the week), but half of them barely connect to do schoolwork. In contrast, children from households with a higher socioeconomic profile tend to spend less time online, but They use the internet more frequently to do homework and educational tasks..
Given that other policies already exist to improve access to connectivity and equipment, the State Secretariat for Youth and Childhood focuses the CODI program on closing the gap in digital usage and skillsTo this end, it carries out training activities through various channels and in collaboration with other administrations and Third Sector entities, paying special attention to gender equality and the prevention of new forms of exclusion.
Training objectives of the CODI program
The “Digital Skills for Children” program pursues several specific training objectivesFirst, it is proposed to equip children with basic digital skillsso that they can use technology safely, creatively, and productively from an early age. This includes knowledge about responsible browsing, information retrieval, respectful communication, and privacy protection.
In a second phase, the program aims to to begin teaching advanced digital skills to vulnerable adolescents and young peoplewith a focus on their future employability. This includes topics such as basic programming, use of advanced office tools, management of collaborative platforms, introduction to digital design, and creation of multimedia content.
The initiative incorporates across the board a gender perspectiveThe aim is to prevent the existing gaps between boys and girls from widening in the digital realm. The initiative seeks to foster girls' and young women's interest in fields such as science, technology, and programming, and to combat stereotypes that still persist in many educational and social environments.
In addition to purely technical training, the CODI program focuses on a comprehensive digital educationThis includes critical reflection on online information consumption, risk identification (bullying, misinformation, problematic screen use), and the promotion of balanced device use. All of this is aimed at ensuring that technology becomes a tool for inclusion, not a factor that exacerbates inequalities.
Collaboration with the Third Sector allows these training activities to be brought closer to environments where vulnerability is more pronouncedsuch as neighborhoods with high unemployment rates, rural areas with fewer resources, or child protection centers. This maximizes the program's impact and reaches children who would otherwise have great difficulty accessing these types of educational opportunities.
Examples of digital content for healthcare professionals
Within the range of actions linked to digital skills, initiatives aimed at professionals in the healthcare and pharmaceutical fieldswhere digitization is transforming everything from the relationship with administrations to communication with patients and the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
One of the training axes focuses on the Pharmacist's relationship with the Regional Administration via electronic meansThis course focuses on how to use e-government platforms efficiently and securely, including online procedures, access to regulatory information, and the management of official communications. The goal is for these professionals to be able to interact with the government seamlessly, reducing processing times and errors.
Another key area is the management, search and critical analysis of scientific informationThe overabundance of publications, studies, and online resources makes it essential to have the skills to locate reliable sources, interpret results, distinguish between solid evidence and low-quality content, and apply findings to professional practice. This competence is especially relevant in an environment where evidence changes rapidly and it is crucial to base decisions on the best available information.
Specific training is also offered in Creation of WordPress websites adapted to the pharmaceutical sectorThese courses teach professionals how to design and launch their own website, manage a content management system, organize menus and sections, and take advantage of the possibilities offered by a website to improve professional visibility, offer quality information, or establish new communication channels with the community.
Finally, work is done on the creation of digital health content and scientific communication techniquesThis course covers tools for producing outreach materials (texts, infographics, videos), as well as resources for communicating research results or health information in a clear and accurate manner to diverse audiences. The aim is for healthcare professionals to actively contribute to improving health awareness through well-designed digital content.
The combination of these contents allows people working in pharmacies, hospitals, or health centers not only to adapt to increasingly digital environments, but also lead innovation and improvement processes in patient care and in the dissemination of scientific knowledge, making ethical and effective use of available technologies.
This whole set of programs and actions demonstrates how the digital skills have become a cross-cutting theme in employment, education, social inclusion, and business competitiveness policies. From updating the skills of registered professionals to modernizing Basque companies through the IKANOS model, including training for vulnerable children and youth with the CODI program or specializing sectors such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals, digital training is seen as a strategic investment that impacts productivity, service quality, and the reduction of social inequalities.
