1. Digitising European businesses
Introductory observations
Alexander Riedl,
Deputy Head of Unit, Digital Economy and Skills unit, DG CONNECT
European Commission
#DigitiseEU

6. Highly digitised companies across Europe
The need for digitisation
European companies are not making the most of all the opportunities digital has to offer
Countries
Size
of Danish companies
of Romanian companies
of computing companies
of metal products companies
of SMEs
of large enterprises
Highly digitised companies across Europe
53% 8%
56% 6%
20%
58%
Sector

7. Update on “Artificial Intelligence for Europe”
The Digitising European Industry Strategy (2016)
European companies are not making the most of all the opportunities digital has to offer
Update on “Artificial Intelligence for Europe”
Coordinated action plan with Member States: Adoption foreseen December 2018

8. Digital Innovation Hubs
Digital Innovation Hubs support companies – in particular SMEs – and public organisations in their digital transformation

9. Achievements since 2016
European Catalogue (yellow pages) of Digital Innovation Hubs:
Operational Hubs + Hubs in Preparation
October 2018
€500 million EU funding for DIHs ( )
A pan-European network of over 200 operational Digital Innovation Hubs
500 Start-ups, SMEs and mid-caps tested digital innovations in collaboration with more than 150 DIHs in 370 innovation experiments 
13 EU countries included DIHs in national digitalisation strategies
Coaching 60 potential Digital Innovation Hubs in regions with slower adoption of digital technologies - focus on EU13. … …

11. Why DIH support in the Digital Europe Programme
- Reach SMEs beyond most innovative ones
- Balanced regional coverage by DIHs
- Align investments of regions, MS and EU
- Scalable + sustainable business models for collaboration

12. Digital Skills of the Labour force
do not have basic digital skills
ICT jobs now 3.7% of total employment

13. Digital Skills of the Labour force
Despite high levels of unemployment in Europe
At least 400,000 vacancies for
ICT specialists
40% of companies trying to recruit ICT specialists face difficulties

14. Skills & Jobs The EU in ACTION New Skills Agenda for Europe:
To help low-skilled adults to acquire a minimum level of literacy, numeracy and digital skills
Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition:
To mobilise businesses, social partners and public authorities to improve digital skills
"Digital Opportunity" scheme in 2018:
A pilot project to provide cross-border traineeships  for up to 6,000 students and recent graduates from all disciplines in
Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition:
Digital Opportunity Scheme:

15. Digital Opportunity Traineeship (DOT)

16. Participative approach – Project Arbeit 2020 in Germany, supported by ESF
Courtesy of

17. Pilot Projects for upskilling SMEs

18. Thank you! alexander.riedl@ec.europa.eu
@DigitalskillsEU