(L-R) Thierry Wolter, FEDIL; Claude Meisch, Minister of National Education, Children and Youth; Véronique Schaber, Director of the General Directorate of Vocational Training;
Credit: MTEES
On Tuesday 8 March 2022, during a press conference organised by FEDIL- The Voice of Luxembourg's Industry, the 2022 edition of the study "The skills of tomorrow in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT)" was presented, in the presence of Luxembourg's Minister of Education, Children and Youth, Claude Meisch, and the Minister of Labour, Employment and Social and solidarity economy, Georges Engel.
The development of 21st century skills, from basic school to continuing vocational training
In his speech, Minister Meisch mentioned the current training in ICT at all levels of national education for children, young people and adults, in order to prepare them for the skills of the 21st century.
"To meet the challenge of the digital transition, we put digitalisation at the center of initial training in basic school, high school or during a specialisation in vocational training up to continuing vocational training", underlined Minister Meisch at the press conference.
The initiative einfach digital – Zukunftskompetenze fir staark Kanner of the Ministry of National Education was launched in 2020 to enable children and young people to better understand digital media and prepare them for a society and a world of work marked by networking and digitization. With this in mind, the coding discipline is gradually being introduced into elementary school from 2020/2021 and at the start of the 2021/2022 school year, the new digital sciences discipline is being introduced into secondary education as a pilot project in eighteen high schools.
Teaching computational thinking in primary education
In primary schools, coding is taught during fun activities adapted to each cycle. From the start of the 2020/2021 school year, coding was integrated for the first time into the mathematics lessons of cycle 4.1 and from this school year it is taught in cycles 1-3 in an interdisciplinary way.
Through coding, students learn to analyse a complex problem and solve it step by step by reducing it to a series of simple problems. Children learn to understand machines and program them in a fun way.
In addition, the Medienkompass is a practical tool that helps teachers raise awareness and train children and young people in the use of digital media, in a transversal approach, in all teaching disciplines.
In secondary education: development of essential skills to evolve in the digital world
The new digital sciences course is a continuation of the teaching of coding and offers a complete digital education by combining skills in learning and innovation (critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration, creativity and innovation) and digital literacy skills. Each year, from the 7e to the 5e, six main themes are addressed and deepened:
- communication with machines and between machines (algorithms);
- risks and critical use of the world wide web - cybersecurity - ethics;
- big data - computer data - databases;
- programming - computer-aided thinking - game;
- robotics and its programming;
- artificial intelligence.
Section I – IT and communication
In 2017, Section I informatics and communication was introduced in four high schools.
Information and communication technologies in vocational training
In the context of vocational training, digital is playing an increasingly important role. New digital-focused training courses are created and existing training courses are adapted to the digital world.
e-commerce technician: a new training since this school year
The need for qualified personnel in the field of e-commerce has become increasingly important in recent years. It is with this in mind that e-commerce technician training has been offered since September 2021, in which 46 students are currently enrolled. At the end of this technician training, students have the opportunity to continue their training with the BTS Commerce and Marketing.
Introduction of digital content in initial training and adaptation of training
In industrial training in mechatronics, Smart Technologies and others, an introduction to automatic production and energy efficiency has been implemented as well as an introduction to KNX technology. In addition, the digital learning log has been introduced to familiarize students and apprentices with computer tools.
In addition, the existing training courses have been adapted to the needs of digitization by adapting the study programs: the Smart Technologies training course has replaced the old electrical engineering training course and offers five different specializations in infotronics, renewable energies, robotics and automation, smart energy and e-controls. In September 2022, the new ET (electrotechnologies) training at DAP level will be launched.
Continuing professional education with a focus on digitilisation
With the Digital Learning Hub (DLH), which will open its doors in the coming months, a new element will be added to continuing professional education, to train qualified people in the field of IT. In a first step, four training entities will be created: coding, design thinking, blockchain and cybersecurity. The content will be practice-oriented and delivered in modern infrastructures that promote creativity, peer-to-peer work and exchange with experts.
Positive outlook on the job market
For his part, Minister Engel welcomed the positive trends on the Luxembourg job market. The unemployment rate is currently at its lowest level since 2009. At the same time, the number of vacancies declared to ADEM has also reached a record level.
It is especially in the IT field that companies are currently looking for qualified personnel. Thus, 186 vacancies were declared to ADEM in this area in January 2022. These positions represent more than 10% of the total number of vacant positions declared to ADEM.
Focus on continuing education
Minister Engel stressed that access to continuing education will be one of his priorities during his mandate. In this context, he specified that the willingness of employees to acquire new skills throughout their professional career is essential to face the challenges of digitalisation. For minister Engel, it is obvious that with digitilisation, professions will disappear, but new professions will also change the world of work.
ADEM as a key player in the field of training
In the context of training job seekers, minister Engel highlighted the important role of ADEM. ADEM already offers training in the field of IT that goes well beyond basic training, but is aimed at all skill levels.
Attract talent when needed
Minister Engel also recalled that Luxembourg's means are limited and this is why Luxembourg should always be able to attract highly qualified employees in specialis bvb ed fields.
