The proliferation of digitalisation in our society has given rise to a new category of employment known as digital jobs. These roles reflect the shifting trends and demands in the labour market, as an increasing number of activities rely on information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance their efficiency and outcomes.
But what is meant by ‘digital jobs’? And what about other terminology in this area? Names and acronyms of technologies, brands of tools and systems, titles of positions or occupations – an ever-growing, constantly changing maze of jargon, ‘corporate-speak’ and techie slang – all this can, and does, overwhelm employers and jobseekers alike.
To help a better understanding of digital jobs and ICT professional roles, the European Union has introduced labour classifications like the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations framework (ESCO) and specific references such as the e-Competence Framework (e-CF). These frameworks provide standardised terminology and detailed descriptions of digital jobs, making it easier to navigate the labour market across Europe and fostering greater clarity and transparency.
Luís Fernández-Sanz, CEPIS President and Professor at the computer science department of the University of Alcalá de Henares, takes an in-depth look into the whole area of digital jobs and relevant frameworks in his article, ‘Digital Jobs: a deep dive’. The article covers essential general definitions (such as the difference between occupation, role and job), explores the types of digital jobs, and gives an overview of the ESCO and e-CF frameworks in this context.
Read the article on the European Digital Skills and Jobs Platform.
