Digital skills are becoming an important requirement for employment across the economy, as it moves through the process of digital transformation. When a substantial new technology is introduced, workers and users are required to acquire new skills in order to capitalize on the potential productivity improvements. This phenomena has been observed in the past and is becoming more prevalent as high-speed Internet connectivity expands. The impact of the Internet on employment can be divided into four basic categories: (OECD, 2018)
new jobs. A broadband Internet connection results in the creation of new jobs. Some of these are directly related to the technology (engineers, networking professionals, and hardware), while others encompass the entire ecosystem (e.g. mobile app developers, data scientists, community specialists in social networks). Most crucially, the Internet has the potential to increase employment in traditional occupations by facilitating the formation of new enterprises (e.g. entrepreneurship) or the extension of current businesses (e.g. growth through expansion into new markets or more effective marketing).
transformed jobs. Existing employment undergoes transformation as a result of technological advancements. The advent of new communication technologies allows for the adjustment of work processes, but requires people to acquire new skills in order to take advantage of the new technical advancements. This shift is also facilitated in part by the Internet’s ability to outsource certain stages of the manufacturing process. Additionally, transformed tasks can be outsourced to other domestic enterprises
outsourced jobs. Additionally, the Internet enables global outsourcing of jobs to more specialized areas or people (e.g., offshore), enabling enterprises with access to broadband networks to take advantage of differing cost and productivity circumstances, as well as the availability of specialized talents and firms. This means that some jobs will be lost directly in one country but will be gained in another.
lost Jobs. Increased Internet use may also result in the loss of specific employment as technology takes over duties previously performed by humans (e.g. as online travel booking has replaced travel agents)
In regard to digital skills, the International Telecommunication Union classifies individuals into three groups based on their level of digital proficiency: basic, standard, and advanced. If a person can copy or move a file or folder; use copy and paste tools to replicate or move material inside a document; send emails with attached files; or transfer files between a computer and other devices, they have a basic digital skill.
Submarine cables have become a major economic factor in the last 35 years. Without submarine cables, it is difficult to imagine how the current global economy could function.
Fixed broadband is the wired technology that delivers high-speed internet access over a fixed cable or fiber-optic connection. Fixed broadband penetration has been increasing steadily in most regions around the globe.
Digital skills are becoming an important requirement for employment across the economy, as it moves through the process of digital transformation. When a substantial new technology is introduced, workers and users are required to acquire new skills in order to capitalize on the potential productivity improvements. This phenomena has been observed in the past and is becoming more prevalent as high-speed Internet connectivity expands. The impact of the Internet on employment can be divided into four basic categories: (OECD, 2018)
new jobs. A broadband Internet connection results in the creation of new jobs. Some of these are directly related to the technology (engineers, networking professionals, and hardware), while others encompass the entire ecosystem (e.g. mobile app developers, data scientists, community specialists in social networks). Most crucially, the Internet has the potential to increase employment in traditional occupations by facilitating the formation of new enterprises (e.g. entrepreneurship) or the extension of current businesses (e.g. growth through expansion into new markets or more effective marketing).
transformed jobs. Existing employment undergoes transformation as a result of technological advancements. The advent of new communication technologies allows for the adjustment of work processes, but requires people to acquire new skills in order to take advantage of the new technical advancements. This shift is also facilitated in part by the Internet’s ability to outsource certain stages of the manufacturing process. Additionally, transformed tasks can be outsourced to other domestic enterprises
outsourced jobs. Additionally, the Internet enables global outsourcing of jobs to more specialized areas or people (e.g., offshore), enabling enterprises with access to broadband networks to take advantage of differing cost and productivity circumstances, as well as the availability of specialized talents and firms. This means that some jobs will be lost directly in one country but will be gained in another.
lost Jobs. Increased Internet use may also result in the loss of specific employment as technology takes over duties previously performed by humans (e.g. as online travel booking has replaced travel agents)
In regard to digital skills, the International Telecommunication Union classifies individuals into three groups based on their level of digital proficiency: basic, standard, and advanced. If a person can copy or move a file or folder; use copy and paste tools to replicate or move material inside a document; send emails with attached files; or transfer files between a computer and other devices, they have a basic digital skill.
Submarine cables have become a major economic factor in the last 35 years. Without submarine cables, it is difficult to imagine how the current global economy could function.
Fixed broadband is the wired technology that delivers high-speed internet access over a fixed cable or fiber-optic connection. Fixed broadband penetration has been increasing steadily in most regions around the globe.
