Enhancing Digital and Soft Skills for the Ageing Workforce – The Spanish Perspective

As a proud partner of the EDSAW – European Digital Skills and Workforce Project, M&M Profuture Training (Barcelona) is committed to addressing the pressing challenge of digital inclusion for the ageing workforce in Spain. Coordinated by the University of Economics in Bratislava (Slovakia), this Erasmus+ initiative seeks to bridge the digital divide affecting adults aged 50+ by developing practical, accessible and motivating learning solutions across Europe.

To better understand the digital and soft skills needs of older adults in Spain, M&M carried out a national survey between June and July 2024. The study gathered 64 valid responses from individuals aged 50 to 65, living in 16 different cities across Catalonia, including Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Viladecans, Lleida and Terrassa. The results provided crucial insights into the real challenges this target group is facing.

What Did We Learn?

1. A Generational Digital Divide
While 66.2% of the Spanish population has at least basic digital skills, this rate drops to 53.8% among individuals aged 55–64. Only 25% of respondents felt confident in their ability to learn and use new digital tools, with another 15.6% feeling neutral or unsure. Specific knowledge gaps were identified in:

• Cybersecurity: 37.6% were unfamiliar with basic concepts.

• Two-factor authentication: Only 28.1% used it regularly.

• Email management: 21.6% expressed insecurity, and 7.6% reported not being able to use email properly.

• Data analysis tools: 23.1% had only limited skills, while only 6.3% felt highly competent.

2. Limited Access to Training
21.9% of participants reported having received no digital training at all, 20.3% received only minimal training, and 24.4% said their training was insufficient. This highlights a widespread lack of structured support.

3. Mixed Motivation
While 51.6% of respondents said they were motivated to learn due to their interest in technology, and 18.8% due to higher income prospects, 10.9% expressed no motivation at all to improve their digital skills—indicating psychological and attitudinal barriers.

4. Deficits in Soft Skills
Important gaps were also identified in workplace soft skills:

• Stress management in digital environments: 14.1% reported ineffective coping strategies.

• Giving and receiving feedback: Around 20% showed discomfort or neutrality.

• Awareness of quality management methods (e.g., Kanban, Kaizen, JIT): 65.6% were unfamiliar with all of them.

🎯 How EDSAW Responds

The findings from Spain strongly support the core mission of the EDSAW project: to develop effective learning tools that respond to the evolving needs of older adults in today’s digital world.

Key activities include:

• Comprehensive e-learning platform offering 8 courses:

  • Cybersecurity

  • Digital Technologies for Office Use

  • AI in the Workplace

  • Cloud Computing

  • Effective Communication

  • Lean Management Principles

  • Adaptability and Teamwork

  • Effective Presentation Methods

• Pilot trainings to test and improve content and methodology with real learners.

• Creation of Local Learning Centres to offer inclusive, sustainable learning spaces for adults aged 50+.

• Development of assessment and training tools that reflect real-world needs.

A Call for Action

The Spanish survey confirms that older workers often lack confidence in their digital abilities, influenced by factors such as age, education level, and limited exposure to technology. These barriers lead to reduced employability and increased digital exclusion.

To tackle this, digital training must be practical, visual, and clearly connected to real-life tasks. Furthermore, addressing soft skills—such as communication, collaboration, and emotional resilience—will empower ageing workers to thrive in digital work environments.

Contact in Spain:
Mónica Moreno
Pedagogical Director – M&M Profuture Training, S.L.
mmoreno@mmprofuture.com

EDSAW Project – 2023‑1‑SK01‑KA220‑ADU‑000159273

EDSAW is more than a training project—it is a European commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and lifelong learning. From Spain, we are proud to contribute to building a future where older adults remain active, skilled, and digitally confident members of the workforce.