Manifesto on Eskills in Europe

Manifesto on e-Skills Training in Europe

Compiled by European NGOs and Community Leaders 11-27 March 2009

“Digital literacy is part of basic competencies such as reading and writing and in this difficult economic situation many workers will need retraining and the digital competence they can gain will help them find new opportunities for a better life”.

President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso (Feb 2009)

18 million Europeans were unemployed as of January 2009 according to Eurostat. This is expected to reach 22 million by the end of the year or a total 9.25% unemployment rate in EU 27.

The EU’s flagship Lisbon Strategy aims to foster growth and job creation by transforming Europe into a knowledge-based economy. Education, training and life long learning are key vectors in providing the necessary new skills for new jobs and improving the prospects of the European workforce.

NGO-led community e-skills training initiatives play a critical role throughout Europe on skills enhancement of those most in need and furthest removed from the labor market. However, almost 40% of the European population is still excluded from the information society, impacting in particular, the most vulnerable social groups - elderly, people with disability, unemployed or those with low education level or modest income.

As the global economic crisis has already evidenced with steep increases in job loss and growing unemployment – now more than ever the need is greater to invest in the future through skills training for job seekers and the most vulnerable at grassroots level across Europe to help people start back up the economic ladder.

Education directly reduces the chances of being unemployed (Eurostat LFS, 2007), so employable Low Qualified Adults who are normally excluded from the formal education system need to improve their competences by informal education channels. In the last years, ICT-based Community Telecentres (TCs) have became a critical channel across Europe for digital literacy/adult education of disadvantaged target groups (Rissola, 2007 and conclusions of Vienna eInclusion event, 2008), contributing through training and guidance to personal development, active citizenship, social inclusion, and –due to the

04/05/2018 1 of 15 increasing economic recession- Employability. Because of free of charge, openness, proximity, informal learning and networking opportunities, TCs are now showing the true potential in training. These are also community assets that draw partnerships - public and private - to serve as a community hub for constructive joint social action and economic development.

A consolidated NGO Response

The European Commission recently issued the European Economic Recovery Plan that calls for “smart” investment in training and the right skills for tomorrow’s needs to protect Europe’s citizens from the worst of the economic crisis. The New Skills for New Jobs report addresses the need for upgrading skills at all levels, better matching with labor market needs and promoting employability.

But what will the anticipated impact be for Europe’s most disadvantaged and the organizations on the ground committed to those underserved by technology and lacking basic e-skills today?

The following manifesto integrates the comments and recommendations of a dozen NGOs, from 15 countries with a unique combined expertise and experience on reaching those furthest from the workplace through e-skills training programs. The contributing organizations outline through a framework of 6 priority areas for focus, specific measures that need to be taken at regional, national and European level. The document constitutes a call to action for governments, business and civil society to address the current challenges and bring about real change on broadening e-inclusion and driving digital literacy programs across Europe.

1. Towards a more inclusive Information Society 2. New skills for new jobs: Strengthening the link between e-skills training and employability 3. Public-Private Partnerships are fundamental 4. Accessibility remains a serious barrier 5. Women remain an underserved group in Europe 6. Towards a more inclusive Europe for seniors

04/05/2018 2 of 15 1. Towards a more inclusive Information Society The progress made towards the objectives of the 2006 Riga Ministerial Declaration on e- Inclusion (ICT for an Inclusive Society) need to be accelerated significantly if there is to be a greater impact on the lower skilled groups in our communities.

Telecentre-Europe Recommendations  Every European nation should have a co-ordinated National network of Telecentres that enables and encourages an environment of skills development.  Provide resources to ensure that effective, targeted marketing of resources to serve offline sectors of the population is possible  Develop new or existing award schemes that recognise outstanding achievement in Digital Inclusion  Encourage political leadership in eInclusion at a national level  Develop effective benchmarking measures for Digital Inclusion that include measures of media literacy  Professionalize Telecentre staff sector: motivators, tutors, managers

Caritas Austria:

 To achieve more e-inclusion, especially for target groups who are not reached by current offers, it is necessary to design tailor-made courses, to steer away from a formal learning environment and instead make people feel "at home". It is important to allow people explore in a pressure free environment rather than working and learning under pressure. In meeting this objective trainees are highly motivated and enjoy the classes.

Responsible Business Institute, Poland:

 Put more attention not only on broadband access but also role of mobile Internet devices in building inclusive Information Society. Mobile phone (with 3G access) have similar functions than PC and is much more personal. This gives many possibilities for the future but also brings many threads, especially in context of social networking, Web 2.0 applications and GPS localisation. In the near future Literacy programs in that area, for all groups in all ages will be a must.

Fundacion Esplai, Spain:  Promote high level groups to elaborate strategy and public policy throughout Europe, creating common standards for the more excluded social groups.  Give financial support to NGO’s from European Funds in order to reduce the Digital Gap.

04/05/2018 3 of 15  All financed ICT initiatives should target the most vulnerable groups: ethnic minorities, women, unemployed, elderly people, and students that have been excluded from the formal educational System. Computerwijk, Netherlands:

 Ensure that all lower skilled groups have access to a computer

Window to the Future (W2F), Lithuania:

 Sustainable development of ICT technologies and services as well as content, ensuring wide availability and clear and simple usage at low-end. Distributable content and compatible formats are highly preferred.

2. New skills for new jobs: Strengthening the link between e-skills training and employability e-skills are critical for finding or retaining a job, but e-skills alone will not ensure rapid integration into the labour market. Adapting to change and ensuring the correct matching between labour market opportunities and skills training is crucial. Additional measures, resources or links are required to strengthen the progression path from e-skills training towards employment opportunities.

Telecentre-Europe Recommendations  Provide effective frameworks and guidance for national Governments to provide funding to address digital skills & inclusion measures in employment assistance programs.

 Develop and support models of best practice and award schemes to replicate of successful examples of e-skills training and workforce development in the informal sector.

Caritas Austria:  Networking and partnerships between labour-market-services and IT-training institutions needs to be strengthened.

Window to the Future (W2F), Lithuania:

 Specific e–skills and abilities must be included in the relevant qualification and professional standards. E–safety is the first.

 Cooperate with both governments and Telecentres including them in the joint

04/05/2018 4 of 15 programmes thus ensuring targeting and quality of their activities

AbilityNet, UK  Support the development of vocational qualifications and competency based qualification for frontline advice and support staff in the use of customized technology to meet needs.  Support distribution networks of low cost assistive technologies to advise staff and employment counselors to facilitate intervention with the digitally excluded  Utilise live and online training resources to create on demand training to support employability

Caritas, Luxembourg:  Invest in ongoing training through workplace training initiatives for employees to keep up to speed on skills.  Ensure free, quality training for long term unemployed, those excluded and youth in difficulty.  Formal training should be combined with other measures to restore self confidence Fundacion Esplai, Spain:  Create a common ICT key-Competences training curriculum (and certification) to improve the labour market job opportunities across countries.  Empower social agents to provide the proper training for their beneficiaries.  Promote continuous ICT training for employees in order to keep them prepared for the changing working conditions. CITEVE, Portugal:  Provide and extend training to employees in industries in decline.  Include entrepreneurship training with digital literacy training.  Create and use an e-learning platform for trainers for posting content centrally.

Computerwijk, Netherlands:  Address need for coaching. Although the target group may be ready for a job, they may lack the right mindset to get there and understand the implications of having and keeping a job and the impact on their family and social environment. To match expectations with reality a working coach would help get acquainted with the working world before integrating the job market. Responsible Business Institute, Poland:  e-skills are often connected with concrete programs or technology and not so much with the practical ability of using those e-skills efficiently in everyday life situations. Thinking about educational projects from a Functional Literacy

04/05/2018 5 of 15 perspective and not so much about concrete programs or technology should be a priority. P-MAT, Slovakia:  National governments should support flexible financial schemes, where employers could easily choose training course (for their employees or for people applying for job in their company) from variety of courses available on market (not only to use limited number of general courses). Flexible system would allow realization of custom-made trainings strongly related to the needs of labor market.

3. Public-Private Partnerships are fundamental A skilled workforce is essential to creating new jobs and fuelling economic growth in Europe so it is a multi-stakeholder mission involving governments, NGOs and business to provide people with access to the set of skills they need to access, retain a job or transition to a new job. Partnerships bring together the competencies of all interested parties to ensure greater impact on the ground – but there can be challenges in making it work.

Telecentre-Europe Recommendations  Create a supportive environment for easier collaboration between organisations from different sectors working to address Digital Divides, specifically incentives for Industry to engage the 3rd Sector.

 Develop new or existing award schemes that recognise outstanding achievement in Digital Inclusion

 Provide encouragement for industry to focus attention on developing products or content for digitally excluded customers or internet beginners, including Web2.0 solutions for particular target groups

Caritas Austria:

 A partnership approach is essential to combat poverty and promote the social inclusion of those affected by it. Especially for those target-groups who are not reached by current offers. It’s important to remember that social problems are not just an issue for specialised NGOs. To solve them, we need the knowledge and power of all members of the community, and the participation of large companies. Shared know-how and experience are vital ingredients in the fight against poverty.

Caritas Luxembourg:  Encourage partnership agreements between various players where each brings

04/05/2018 6 of 15 expertise in a specific area. NGOs actively participate in the integration of people in difficulty into the job market while the business/private sector can provide professional experience. Both contribute to managing, training, mentoring and developing the skills and competencies of the individual.

AbilityNet, UK:  Provide funding to encourage third sector organisations to engage with corporate sector by seed funding pilots  Fund detailed case study development by innovative existing best practice in corporate/Third sector partnership to reduce digital exclusion  Promote low cost assistive technologies actively to corporate sector for integration into existing platforms

Computerwijk, Netherlands:  Connect industries with NGO’s on a different level and make industries aware of the gain for their organization. The collaboration is a win-win situation for both parties. Fundacion Esplai, Spain:  Create a consortium formed by NGO’s, private and public sector, to support actions designed to reduce the digital gap and to generate relevant partnerships in order to increase the number of people included in the Information Society.

CITEVE, Portugal:  Create partnerships with public and professional employment authorities as well as with industry including unions to help redeploy workers in response to companies’ needs.  Create partnerships with town municipalities, district councils and social support networks to allow socially disadvantaged individuals to avail of training.

4 .Accessibility remains a serious barrier Progress remains insufficient on strategies to increase accessibility of technologies and online services for people with disability which seriously hampers employability prospects. Governments, and employers, both public and private need to play a greater role in promoting and supporting accessibility and facilitating entry into the workplace. European commission statistics suggest that there are 55 million disabled people in Europe; changing demographics indicate that there will be an increasing proportion of people with a disability wishing to access a computer. Microsoft Forester research suggests that 70% of all users benefit from counseling their PC. Cumulatively these

04/05/2018 7 of 15 figures suggest a significant user group requires additional support to make best use of technology.

Telecentre-Europe Recommendations  Raise Disability Awareness in general public and among service providers to improve ability and opportunities for appropriate services and skills offerings to the disabled  Support information dissemination and advice on assistive technology innovations to the eSkills Counseling networks across Europe.  Support accessible design of web and information resources including new media  Seek solutions to reduce costs of assistive technology for all users; provide incentives to innovate against this objective.  Replicate low cost and no cost training materials which support both trainers and users wishing to Counsel assistive technologies.

Caritas Luxembourg:  Implement customized training for people with disability and train trainers for working specifically with this group and adapting appropriately to their rhythm.  Drive additional inclusion for this group through follow up work opportunities/experience. Abilitynet, UK:  Create decentralized network for distribution of low cost assistive technologies.  Adopt current best practice resources and facilitate translation and localization  Establish online training resource on inclusive design to be completed by all bidders for public tenders above agreed value  Support development of national digital advice lines into a single network  Develop curriculum resources to support 14-19 curriculum in inclusive design  Promote role models of disabled people using ICT to achieve aspirations  Support the creation of media campaign on ease of access technologies for all.  Stimulate and encourage the engagement cycle for users advice – provision – training and support

 Incentivise and reward developers for integrating high quality assistive technologies into their designs

 Incentivise employers and educators to make available solutions in anticipation of users with individual needs.

Fundacion Esplai, Spain:  Promote the investment and resources to develop new accessible products, their distribution and implementation. CITEVE, Portugal  Development and use of e-learning methods and platforms for students and workers with special needs and/or learning difficulties to create better possibilities to benefit from web based learning solutions.

04/05/2018 8 of 15 5. Women remain an underserved group in Europe Gender based inequality affects the majority of the world’s cultures and nations. A 2007 study commissioned by the World Economic Forum confirmed the close connection between the gender gap, education and skills level and national competitiveness. Expanding women’s participation in the workforce is a key objective under the European Strategy for Jobs & Growth to reach an employment rate of 60% by 2010. While female employment has been the main factor in the steady growth of employment in the EU in recent years, additional measures need to be taken to facilitate women entering or returning to the workplace or extending their duration in the workplace. Digital Literacy is a core skill for women to access or retain a job and there is a clear need in particular for training of women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Telecentre-Europe Recommendations  Create “Digital Champions” who act as a role models for women in eInclusion recruitment campaigns Caritas Austria:

 Courses have to be specifically designed to meet the needs of women. Some of the women we support have so little self-confidence that they find the prospect of formal training very daunting. We provide them with a comfortable learning environment, using only women trainers and holding all the classes on our own premises, providing childcare.

Computerwijk, Netherlands:

 Identify the direct needs/interests of women and link the use of a computer to these needs. Stay close to their world.

Caritas Luxembourg:  Provide more local community training initiatives to reach women as they are less likely to travel to urban training venues.  Encourage initiatives on working from home using existing ICT means.  Combine training with additional opportunities for cultural and personal exchange. Fundacion Esplai, Spain:  Promote equal opportunities between men and women in terms of training and labour market access, by providing ICT training during working hours, to ensure familiarisation.  Increase the strategies and policies that facilitate the tele-working for men and women.  Develop gender equality campaigns and advocacy to increase the key actors

04/05/2018 9 of 15 engagement in EC policies about gender and employability

6. Towards a more inclusive Europe for seniors

Europe has a rapidly aging population that is at risk of becoming isolated with no ICT knowledge. Research (Eurostat 2006) shows that 3 out of 4 Europeans over the age of 65 have no e-skills. Moreover workforce opportunities are limited for unemployed people over 50. Lifelong learning meets a critical need on e-inclusion for seniors and for up- skilling to extend the duration in the workplace, but many older people often do not find ICT tuition that is suitable to their needs. Given the growing scale of this issue – much remains to be done.

Telecentre-Europe Recommendations  Develop and support sharing of knowledge of programmes for older people peer tutoring/ mentoring in ICT  Create “Digital Champions” who act as a role models for older people in eInclusion recruitment campaigns Windows to the Future (W2F), Lithuania:  Strengthen local communities telecentres and develop volunteers competencies to advise seniors on using ICT, e-learning and other e-services.

Responsible Business Institute, Poland:  Young people can be experts in the context of technology, seniors almost in all others... Working on the generation dialogue between seniors and youth is a worthy investment. Fundacion Esplai, Spain:  Promote ICT learning initiatives for elderly, mainly focused on daily activities and direct benefits in order to avoid isolation.  Develop policies to support intergenerational exchanges throw ICT learning processes, and increase also, elderly social participation. Caritas, Luxembourg:  Keep seniors economically active through ongoing training.  Engage the competencies of seniors to become involved in training programs and allow them to become trainers themselves for other seniors.

04/05/2018 10 of 15 Participating NGOs

Name & Role Organisation Description & Program 0verview

Ian Clifford, Gabi Barna - Telecentre-Europe is an inclusive and vibrant network that Co-Chairs Telecentre increases the impact and effectiveness of telecentres europe throughout Europe by fostering knowledge sharing and learning amongst its members.

Susanne Anzboeck Österreichische Caritas-Zentrale /Caritas Austria Caritas’ mission is to help marginalized individuals improve their lives. As many as 200,000 socially disadvantaged Austrian women live in poverty and are unlikely to be able to afford a computer or learn basic technology skills. Technology training has the potential to open doors for these women and help them enter the labor market. Through the “Caritas- Microsoft Computer-Alphabet for Women” project new opportunities for women in social need, are being created in Vienna, Styria, Burgenland. The project is also supported by Microsoft and Fujitsu-Siemens. In 2009, 220 women will be trained and a new “computer-kiosk” will allow a further 2.000 individuals and job seekers to benefit from the ICT facilities.

Marja Pihnala ARGOW, Finland ARGOW and Finnish Ten percent of people in Finland have a disability that Association of people hampers their everyday life and only seventeen percent are with Mobility Disabilities employed. The ARGOW project in Finland is succeeding in showing how creative solutions and combined resources can significantly reduce the digital divide’s affect on people with disabilities. ARGOW brings together four national nongovernmental organizations that represent people with disabilities (the Finnish Association of People with Mobility Disabilities, the Finnish MS Society, Kynnysry/Threshold Association, and the Finnish Federation for the Visually Impaired). Through an innovative mobile classroom solution and a combined network of 37 community learning centers, the project aims to train 5000 people with disabilities in IT skills, reaching even the most remote areas of the country. Now in its third year, the train-the-trainers program in 2009 will provide an additional focus on disabled youth through guidance on further training, education and employment.

Augusto Lima CITEVE, Portugal The Microsoft Unlimited Potential program has supported CITEVE, the technological arm of the textile industry, for four years in its initiative to help re-skill workers in the textile industry and those who have become unemployed due to the decline in this industry across Europe. The goal of this program is to empower individuals by providing IT skills training to help increase new employment prospects in a region where the textile industry has traditionally had a strong presence. 2009 will see the extension of technology training and reskilling of workers in other declining industries

04/05/2018 11 of 15 in Portugal – namely the metal, cork, ceramics and glass industries. Supported by mobile training units – the initiative will contribute to creating economic prosperity in new regions of the country. The reskilling project supported closely by the town municipalities, regional employment agencies and the Ministry of Work and Social Solidarity indicated a successful 40% employment rate in 2008 after the first two years of training.

Montserrat Gines Fundacion Esplai, Spain General Manager Connect Now is a national initiative in Spain driven by Fundacion Esplai that focuses on increasing digital literacy among the most disadvantaged social groups. The goal of this initiative is to improve the social inclusion of disadvantaged people and to broaden the information society to all. The program reaches beneficiaries through an existing community technology center network and the school infrastructure. The project combines two programs. The first, Conecta e-inclusion, is a program for young people, women, and immigrants who are part of the Red Conecta network which was running in 286 centers and associated networks across Spain by June 2008. The second, Young Conecta, is a program specifically for young people and is based on a service learning plan used in the high schools. Through partnerships with nongovernmental organizations, local government, and national government, and by applying a consistent methodology for delivering quality IT skills training throughout the network, Connect Now made a strong impact with over 157,000 people trained in the first three years and is on track to train a further 218,000 over the next three years. http://www.fundacionesplai.org/

Gabi Barna Education for Open Society (EOS), Romania President (and founder) EOS is a nonprofit organization that facilitates an open society Education for Open and promotes sustainable developmentthroughout Romania Society (EOS), Romania by enabling people to acquire entrepreneurial skills and technology training to both increase adaptability on the job market and fight digital exclusion of underserved communities. EOS has built a national network of Outreach Community Training Centers across Romania, in collaboration with Civitas, and as complement to the World Bank funded Knowledge Economy project. Although these centers do not target women specifically, they serve women disproportionately, particularly those over 35.

Māra Jākobsone LIKTA’s – Latvia@World project promotes the development LIKTA Board Member and of the Information Society in Latvia so that all citizens may Latvia@World Director benefit from IT and become full partners in the New Economy. The project, supported by the Latvian government, municipalities and other IT industry members provides basic IT skills training to those at risk of social exclusion and promotes access to public and private business services available on the Internet, accelerating the development of the Information Society.

04/05/2018 12 of 15 Ian Clifford UK online centres Business Development Manager The mission of UK online centres is to empower people to become skilled and confident citizens, at ease with Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

A telecentre network of 6000 centres in England, which improve lives and life chances. UK online centres have developed myguide, a digital literacy tool for digitally excluded customers. The UK online centres team work with UK government departments and services, and with industry, as well as delivering digital literacy projects, campaigns and research. The role of the network is to engage hard-to-reach and take them on a ‘journey’ from digital exclusion to digital inclusion.

Loreta Križinauskienė The initiative “Langas i ateiti” (W2F – Window to the Director Future), registered as the association in 2002. Mission – to promote the use of internet in Lithuania and in this way stimulate the growth of the standard of living as well as the country competitiveness in Europe. Partners of W2F are government institutions and private organizations.

W2F is involved in three fields of activities: 1) Establishment of public Internet access points (PIAPs), 2) Training society to use computers and Internet as well as encouragement to use e-services, 3) Encouragement of society to use e-services.

Results of today: 1) 175 Public Internet Access Points established in 2002-2004 (private-public partnership). 2) In 2003 20,000 adult people trained on Internet Basics; in 2006- 2008 50 000 people trained on computer literacy and e- services. 3) E-learning. 4 courses (including internet safety) have been developed and training provided for above 4 000 adults in 2008.

Yves Schmidt Caritas Solidarity and Intégration in Luxembourg Director Caritas was founded in 1932 as a federation of social service organizations. Today it regroups 17 different organizations engaged in various humanitarian fields. Any individual in need, regardless of his religion, his skin colour, his political conviction, his sex, his race, his social status or his age, is the beginning and the focus of our action. Caritas is in service of the poor and weak. Foundation Caritas Luxembourg aims to fight poverty, exclusion, intolerance and discrimination. On the national level, the organization helps two categories of people in need: local people living in Luxembourg and asylum seekers who come to the country in order to find refuge. Caritas helps these populations through counseling, education and other support.

04/05/2018 13 of 15 David Banes AbilityNet are the UK’s largest NGO focused entirely on the AbilityNet bridging of the digital divide for people with a disability or limiting condition. AbiulityNet deliver services directly to disabled users whilst also advising organoisations and business on how to achive diversity through technology. AbilityNet support all forms of Information and communications technology and all users regardless of need, setting or aspiration.

Juraj Suchánek P-MAT, n.o. is a non-profit organization working in education Director in Slovakia since 1997. P-MAT works at the national level with students, teachers and adults, particularly those over 40 with no computer skills. P-MAT’s project “40UP” helps individuals overcome barriers to enable them to use IT in their professional lives. P-MAT also works to make connections between basic skills training efforts and labor offices in hopes of increasing employability of citizens throughout Slovakia.

Wilma Borgt Computerwijk makes it possible for neighbours to “click” and learn to use a pc. By growing the digital knowledge of local residents helped by local residents, we stimulate self- confidence and the chance for personal growth, education and employment in a socially disadvantaged community.

Pawel Makowiecki, The Responsible Business Institute is an association of President and Founder professionals working in area of Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Entrepreneurship in Poland, including projects involving mobile telephony and basic IT skills education. Between 2005 and 2008, RBI managed the "Community Computer Education Centers" project, comprised of 7 telecentres engaging youth volunteers in Digital Literacy training for seniors supported by the Microsoft Unlimited Potential program and others. This project continues engaging 120+ volunteer trainers and training 6500+ seniors every year.

Siobhan Long Enable Ireland Assistive Technology The Enable Ireland continues to make strides each year on Lead accessibility in a country where almost 70% of those with disability are unemployed. In 2007 the first ever national assistive technology training center in the country was launched by Enable Ireland with the endorsement of the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment. In 2009, Enable Ireland will continue to offer assistive technology training to 700 people per year and benefit 3500 others. The center, which acts as a hub for training around the country, has helped scale the reach of assistive technology as well as promoting accessibility awareness among potential employers. The partnership has been recognized by a number of CSR awards over the last few years and most recently was identified by Business in the Community (BITC) as a case study of outstanding practice. Enable Ireland was also

04/05/2018 14 of 15 nominated in 2008 as a finalist by the EU e-inclusion program for their accessibility work.

Luisa Toeschi Associazione degli Interessi Metropolitani (AIM) – Director Internet Saloon, Italy

In Italy and across Europe, there is a large population of aging citizens, and organizations are working to combat the digital divide that can result when older citizens lack IT skills and knowledge. In Italy this issue is of particular concern where less than 5% of seniors access the internet, compared to 15% in UK. To address this issue, AIM’s Internet Saloons in Milan, Sondrio, Catania and Pavia give seniors an opportunity to actively participate in the information society by providing basic IT skills training to get started. When surveyed, past program participants indicated that training in IT skills enhanced their online capabilities to make daily living easier, enabling them to do things such as shop and bank online. A further 6,500 people will receive training in 2009. Building on its success to date, the Internet Saloon is also extending training offerings to people seeking employment, women and other underserved groups.

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