Digital literacy imperative for workforce development We are facing a new frontier in the ever growing challenge to close the skills gap impacting many of us in business. The deficiency in digital literacy has created a need for companies to evolve in the understanding that literacy in technology has become equally as important as literacy in the English language; our workforce must be technologically fluent to compete in a global economy. As employers, we will soon be faced with digging deeper into the emerging next generation of workers. We must take action now to ensure our workforce receives the training required to keep us competitive in the 21st century. Let me shed some light on the digital literacy issue. The Educational Testing Service (ETS), a nonprofit organization devoted to educational measurement and research, has been researching and evaluating this subject for nearly a decade. Early on, the organization convened an international panel of experts from around the world in the education, labor, government and private sector industries to study the growing importance of existing and emerging Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). What we have begun to learn is that we are facing the need for digital literacy and the ability to access and manage information, think critically about it and apply it effectively to all aspects of our lives. Results show the United States is lagging behind other countries in implementing digital policies and establishing curriculum to develop technology literate students. Many of us are aware of the advances being made to minimize the digital divide between those who have access to technology and those who do not. However, in our ever-growing culture of new and improved gizmos, gadgets and an “I want it right now” society, there is a looming concern for the developing issue of a digital “proficiency” divide—the gap between those who have the aptitude, developmental skills, training and technical abilities to recognize, navigate and implement the information that is available via the advancements in great access to technology and those who do not. As president and design engineer of Quality Float Works, Inc., a domestic manufacturing company competitive in the global marketplace, I have seen first-hand how the digital age has changed the industry. Computers are used to calibrate our machines and settings, which improves productivity and increases efficiency; well-practiced and proficiently trained workers are in high demand as technological advancements are rapidly introduced across the industry and international competition increases. Much of the current workforce in skilled positions in small and medium manufacturing lacks ability to use computers. In response to this growing epidemic, I have implemented on on-site training program for my employees and made the investment in technology to provide distance learning opportunities to ensure my employees grow and learn along the way as new advancements are made. My workforce will receive an education and become digitally literate while on-the-job. In just the past decade we have witnessed the emergence of online universities such as the University of Phoenix and Capella University that provide online programs offering students both undergraduate and graduate degrees in many fields, including business and information technology. There is an abundance of other online learning tools offered from professional member associations and free government resources, including a great program through the U.S. Department of Labor that offers continuing education and certification opportunities. Though all of these resources have been made available to us, it is our duty as employers to make sure our employees remain up-to-speed in order to compete in a global market place. Jobs connecting to other jobs across the globe have become a reality. Twenty-first century businesses are seeing not only an increased opportunity, but rather the necessity, for digital literacy training in the workforce. There is no better way business owners can better equip their workforce with the skills needed to navigate the wealth of information available through the development of digital technology than to become part of the evolution and grow with the changes. We need to work together by making an investment in our workforce and taking advantage of every opportunity to create a digitally literate talent pool of employees. While the education and health care industries have been at the forefront of adopting new policies to adjust to the digital world, if we are going to compete, let’s share best practices to make a difference on the skills gap related to digital literacy. Sandra Westlund-Deenihan is president of Quality Float Works, Inc., a Schaumburg-based manufacturing company that produces hollow float metal balls. She serves on the boards of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers, Tooling & Manufacturing Association and the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity in Education. Contact her at sandy@metalfloat.com or at 847-781-8960.

Posted on Monday, July 21, 2008 (Archive on Monday, July 28, 2008) Posted by jstoltz  Contributed by jstoltz

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