Digital competence revolution and human resource development in the United Kingdom and Switzerland

Abstract

In today's digitalised world, the number of routine/low-skilled jobs has been reduced with rising demand for digitally equipped graduates/employees. Technological advancements heavily impact the way people work while most recent socio-political and demographic changes (e.g. 'Brexit', economic instability, higher education reforms, generation attitude changes and a pandemic crisis) increase the need for critical insights on how digital competences of the workforce can improve and sustain business competitiveness. While some organisations remain reluctant to foster their workforce's digital qualifications, many view digitalisation as an opportunity to enhance employees' skillsets with company-specific competences for competitive advantage, further being supported by educational institutions which offer tailored human resource development (HRD) programmes (Gartner Co, Gartner identifies three megatrends that will drive digital business into the next decade, 2017). As the UK and Switzerland are non-EU members they are not in charge of implementing the European Digital Strategy; therefore, the chapter aims to describe and compare their 'special way' regarding HRD education provision in the era of digitalisation to inform HRD professionals and policymakers on possible future actions.