Evaluation of the Possibilities of Development of Digital Competence According to Labour Market Trends in Latvia

Abstract:

The importance of this issue has increased nowadays because in future today’s generation actually faces real consequences of current socioeconomic activity, and it is exceedingly much as never before requires new technology-based approaches and methods in acquiring knowledge, skills and norms needed for all jobs, from the simplest to the most complex. The purpose of this study is to explore and substantiate the possibilities of the development of digital competence according to labour market trends in Latvia. The research methodology applied in this research study involves examining, analysing and summarizing relevant theoretical concepts, literature and Internet sources as well as statistical data. To achieve this goal, an interview was carried out as the key method of the research. In total, 25 (twenty-five) experts were addressed and in total 6 (six) field experts from business, education policymakers in Latvia and universities were interviewed by sorting them in 3 (three) groups. For each group, questions were prepared differently. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used to analyse the development scenarios of the possible development of digital competence in the higher education system in line with labour market requirements. The results indicate that despite the widespread availability of technology, almost everywhere in the education system, there is still a large gap between educational technology adaptation in education organizations and the demand of the labour market and trends in building competencies. This requires maintaining the holistic approach to targeted digital education management.