Developing Digital Skills Among Students of the Sverdlovsk Region

Abstract

Research on the development of digital skills and competencies has primarily been concerned with the current socio-economic situation. Based on statistical data compiled by the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, there is a gap in the level of digital skills of both the entire population of Russia and young people in comparison with the populations of most European countries. This research explored some of the issues of the structure of digital skills, identifying their levels and the areas necessary for assessing the development and formation among students. This study was based on the data of a sociological survey conducted among students of higher education institutions of the Sverdlovsk Region in their first year of a bachelor’s degree, as well as for various training profiles (humanitarian, science and mathematics, engineering and socio-economic). The role of the university as a filter was revealed, and also its role as an agent in the process of professional socialization of young people. However, the institutions did not meet the requirements of the modern digital economy.