Digitalization is no longer just a trend: It has become an integral part of our everyday lives, influencing how we work, learn and live together. But how can we ensure that everyone in Austria develops the necessary digital skills? This is precisely where Austria’s Digital Skills Initiative comes into play: a national strategy aimed at strengthening digital competences across all aspects of life.

A key outcome of this initiative is Austria’s National Framework of Reference for Digital Competence (short: NRDK), which was published on September 27, 2024. It provides a clear and structured framework to understand, categorise, and promote digital skills. Whether for educational institutions, businesses, or personal development, the NRDK offers valuable guidance and addresses the challenges posed by digitalization.

Especially in adult education, the NRDK serves as a solid foundation, for actively addressing the complexities of digital competence development.

Core Elements of the National Framework of Reference for Digital Competence 

Austria’s Framework is built upon 3 essential elements that enable effective promotion and measurement of digital competences:

1. The NRDK offers a structured overview:
   The Austrian framework model DigComp 2.3 AT is based on the EU model DigComp 2.2, thus ensuring international comparability. It forms the foundation of the NRDK and includes 6 competence areas with a total of 27 competences, divided into 8 levels. This structure helps clearly define and capture the diversity of digital competences and integrate them into educational processes.

    

   

    

2. The NRDK includes practical use cases:
   The NRDK emphasises the practical applicability of digital competences. Concrete examples demonstrate the various usage options of the framework in educational and professional contexts, such as integrating digital skills into curricula or designing professional development programmes.
    

3. The NRDK ensures national consistency with a governance structure:
   A national governance structure within the NRDK defines clear objectives, terminology, and task allocations. This ensures consistent and efficient implementation across various sectors, particularly in adult education, where clear and cohesive guidance often makes a significant impact.

The Importance of the NRDK for Adult Education

In adult education, Austria’s National Framework of Reference for Digital Competence creates new opportunities to promote digital inclusion and prepare individuals for the challenges of digital transformation. It supports the targeted design of educational programs and the systematic expansion of learners' digital competences.

How Does the NRDK Specifically Support Adult Education?

• Shared Understanding: The NRDK establishes a shared language for everyone. It describes, across various levels – from foundational skills to advanced expertise – the digital competences adults need to navigate their daily lives and work while actively participating in a digitalised society.

• Practical Orientation: The competence areas address real-world demands faced by adults in their personal and professional development. The proficiency levels correspond to the NQF (National Qualifications Framework), thus simplifying the understanding of different stages of digital skills development.

• Targeted Planning for Further Education: The NRDK enables the design of training programs that make progress in digital competence development measurable and tailored to the specific needs of learners. This helps both institutions and individuals identify their needs, set concrete goals, and achieve them effectively.

• Professionalisation of Educational Institutions: By using the NRDK as a reference, educational institutions ensure comprehensive coverage of all relevant competences in their offerings and programmes. The NRDK provides a solid foundation for developing high-quality and well-structured educational programs, enhancing the quality and relevance of these offerings and contributing to the professionalisation of adult education.

• Strategic Use of Funding Programs: Funding initiatives can be strategically aligned with the competence areas and specific competences defined by the NRDK.

💡 Success in Digitalisation Begins with Education!

The digital transformation requires continuous development of digital competences. The NRDK offers valuable guidance on how this process can be effectively designed in adult education.

Would you like to learn more about how you can specifically implement the National Framework of Reference for Digital Competence? 

Then click the link for direct download or contact us.

Link to the NRDK: Here ​(EN) / Hier (DE) 

Contact: digitalekompetenzen@oead.at