Digital economy blueprint

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DIGITAL ECONOMY BLUEPRINT

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CHAPTER 7.0 DIGITAL SKILLS  AND VALUES

CHAPTER 7.0

 

DIGITAL SKILLS  AND 

VALUES

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DIGITAL ECONOMY BLUEPRINT

7.0 DIGITAL SKILLS AND VALUES

7.1 INTRODUCTION

Digital  skills  are  a  prerequisite  for  benefiting  from 

any technology, across all sectors of the economy, and 

at all levels of the skills spectrum. Digital skills will 

enable every Kenyan to have access to digital tech-

nology, having the literacy and know-how to use this 

technology, and being able to participate in and cre-

ate with this technology. If technologies and all oth-

er complementary factors were in place, but people 

did not have the skills to use such technologies, there 

would be no impact. Ultimately, the impact of tech-

nology depends on the use of technology. Digital and 

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 Century skills are key to digital entrepreneurship, 

digital adoption and transformation, and even suc-

cessful conceptualisation and implementation of digi-

tisation projects in both the private and public sectors.

The digital skills pillar is focused on developing digi-

tal skills for its citizens [Mostly ICT professionals] to 

meet the competencies and expertise required for  the 

digital economy. Government continues to improve 

skills through the various initiatives that include digi-

tal literacy in the primary schools, developing  curric-

ula and creating centres of excellence in all levels of  

education system. Some initiatives include the Presi-

dential Digital Talent Programme, among others.

Globally, the rise of high-tech innovation hubs in 

places around the globe like Silicon Valley, in the US, 

Bangalore in India, Shenzen in China (Startup Ware-

house), Dublin (Silicon Docks), Tokyo in Japan, Tai-

pei, Seoul, in Korea and several in Kenya, have led to 

a shortage of coders after the early 2000s. The prob-

lem has invoked interventions and cations by elders in 

the ICT industry globally. The growth in demand for 

coders was more than 30% between 2007 and 2012, 

and is predicted to grow at 22% between 2012-2022. 

Most recently a group has formed what is called the 

‘learn to code’ movement (see code.org). There is a 

push for coding to be taught in schools.