Latin America should consider this interesting initiative developed by Samsung Spain focused of digital skills’ training

According to data from CEDEFOP (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training) and other European organizations, in the near future 90% of jobs will be expected to demand some sort of digital skill.

A main feature of the new economy of the digitalization of employment. In Europe, around 45% of citizens and 37% of workers have unsatisfactory digital skills, and there is a strong correlation between this lack and the employability level.

According to data from the European Union, only 54% of Spanish have basic digital skills, which poses big questions regarding their chances of filling the jobs of a future that seems closer than ever. Several companies are working in initiatives that seek to close the digital gap.

Samsung Smart School is a program focused on kids from 10 to 12 years old, attending public primary schools in Spain. Over 3,000 students and teachers from 35 centres, in 88 classrooms equipped with advanced Samsung technology have participated in the program so far.  This project trains young people in digital skills so they can access knowledge anywhere and at any time, and these tools are the trigger for a change of model. According to the results of a research conducted in these centres during 2016-2017, three basic 21^st century skills have shown signs of improvement, as well as linguistic communication, and the ability to “learn to learn”. This was possible due to the integration of technology as a mean to develop a methodological change in the way professors teach, and students learn.

In addition, the Program Samsung Tech Institute, which focuses on young people aged 18 to 25 years old, supports the company’s commitment with training in fields of information technology, communication and new digital careers. The program improves that labour opportunities for the new generations, to offer companies a workforce with proper technological qualifications.

Samsung has developed different collaboration agreements, including an agreement with the Technical University of Madrid to develop the program of Corporate Citizenship Samsung Tech Institute and an agreement with the University of Malaga (UMA).

The Programs Samsung Tech Institute are delivered for free by specialized teachers, and its target are young people who are looking for a job. The goal is to make it easier for them to get a job by providing technological training. The courses are linked to the development of applications in open systems, HTML5 and CSS3 languages, videogames, Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, or web design.

Over 1,000 students have been benefited by this specialized training during the past three years, and 45% of them got a job linked to IT.

Clearly, an initiative to be imitated in the region.