The digital landscape is ever-evolving, and so are the skills required to navigate it. A recent report by Adobe delves into the perceived digital literacy gap, shedding light on the skills that are truly in demand and how they align with the perceptions of employers and employees.
The Skills Landscape
Adobe’s report highlights a disconnect between job postings and the actual skills deemed necessary by business owners. For instance, while 1 in 3 job posts mention the need for data-related skills, a significant 45% of business owners find them unnecessary. Communication emerges as the top skill, with 93% of business owners and 94% of employees emphasizing its importance. Organization skills also rank high, but there’s a disparity in self-assessment, with only 59% of employees feeling they’re experts in this area.
Employer vs. Employee Perceptions
A concerning revelation from Adobe’s report is employees’ reluctance to seek training. More than 1 in 4 employees don’t feel comfortable asking their employers for more training on technological skills. This is compounded by the fact that 34% of employers don’t see it as their responsibility to provide tech training.
This mismatch in expectations underscores the need for open communication between employers and employees regarding skill development.
Tech Frustrations in the Workplace
Outdated technology emerges as the top frustration for employees. Slow computers and a lack of training follow closely. These tech-related challenges highlight the importance of investing in up-to-date resources and providing adequate training to ensure employees can effectively use available tools.
Investing in Skills Development
Adobe’s report also emphasizes the importance of investing in employee upskilling. On average, employees spend $618.55 per year upscaling their tech skills outside of work. Employers, on the other hand, spend an average of $2,743 per year per employee on training resources. This investment not only boosts employee morale and proficiency but also contributes to business revenue.
The digital literacy gap may not be as wide as you think, but disparities do exist. For HR professionals and recruitment managers, understanding these nuances is crucial. Investing in training, fostering open communication, and ensuring access to up-to-date resources are key steps toward bridging the gap.
Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.