Policy & Publications
The perception & reality of digital skills
ICDL Europe’s ‘Perception & Reality’ report brings together the results of research into self-perception of digital skills, and the reality, measured with a practical test. The new report includes findings from studies conducted in Singapore and India, reinforcing the original findings from five European countries.
Recognitions and references
ICDL has been recognised around the world and referenced in reports by governments and international organisations.
ICDL for Europe
ICDL is the new name for the ECDL programme in Europe. We’re doing more than just changing a letter though.
Publications
Skills for data protection
Protecting peoples’ personal data has never been more important, with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and a number of high-profile data breaches undermining public trust. Our new position paper highlights the importance of developing workers’ skills for data protection.
Perception & reality: measuring digital skills gaps in Europe, India, and Singapore
How do you measure digital skills? How do you work out whether a candidate for a job has the skills and competences that they will need to do the work? Letting people self-assess their skills can seem like a simple solution, but it brings a big risk that they will misjudge their abilities.
ICDL and DigComp
We live in an increasingly digital world where people work, socialise, and receive public and private services online. Having insufficient digital skills is likely to have a negative impact on people’s employability and life quality.
ICDL and qualification frameworks worldwide
Qualifications frameworks, like the European Qualifications Framework, make it easy to compare qualifications and certifications from different countries with each other. International qualifications, such as ICDL, can be mapped to National Qualification Frameworks (NQFs) and, in this way, become officially recognised in different countries in Europe and worldwide.
Creating the Future: Computing in Education
Computing and digital literacy are two sides of the same coin that both need to be included in compulsory education. In this special report, ICDL Europe argues strongly that students should have the opportunity to develop computing skills and to build a strong foundation of digital literacy.
e-Skills at School
We need a comprehensive digital education for every school pupil. When digital skills are becoming ever more crucial to all areas of life, from work and learning, to social inclusion, there can be no excuse for leaving anyone behind.
IT security skills: protecting your children, your private life, and your business
IT security is an increasingly important issue for all computer users. Our report looks at IT security needs in private and professional life and highlights the central role that skills play in helping people stay safe from increasingly sophisticated threats online.
The fallacy of the ‘digital native’
‘We live in the age of the digital native’, or so many would have us believe. But what does the term really mean? Can someone truly pick up digital skills intuitively? Does this mean there is no need to try to teach young people how to use computers? We don’t think so.
Partnerships
Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition
The Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition is a partnership of organisations from the public, private and non-profit sectors that works to tackle digital skills shortages across Europe. The Coalition was formed by the European Commission as part of the Digital Single Market Strategy, and follows on from the earlier Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs, which operated from 2013 to 2016.
European Cyber Security Month
Cybersecurity is increasingly important to more and more people. The risks and dangers online can affect anyone, anywhere. European Cyber Security Month is an initiative of the European Commission to raise awareness of the need to stay safe online.
European Vocational Skills Week
Workplace skills are an issue across Europe, and the low level of digital skills is a particularly significant problem, given the increasing categories of jobs that need workers to have good ICT competences.
ISTE Seal of Alignment
The ICDL programme received a Seal of Alignment from ISTE in May 2017. The Seal of Alignment shows that ICDL has been independently reviewed by ISTE, and was found to be aligned with the ISTE Standards.
Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day, which takes place in February each year, is a global initiative aimed at keeping people safe online. Funded by the European Commission, the initiative puts a special focus on the online safety of children and young people.
Find an ICDL Accredited Test Centre near you