What Digital Skills Do Employers Actually Want?

Hey Parents and Teachers 👋

I know it can feel a little overwhelming when we start thinking about what skills our young people need to succeed in tomorrow’s job market, especially with technology evolving so fast.

Whether you're a teacher helping students prepare for their future or a parent supporting your teen’s career choices, it's hard to know where to start when it comes to "digital skills."

So, let's break it down into something manageable!

Here’s a list of the most basic digital skills that employers typically look for in entry-level employees, and a little of why they are needed in the workplace. And don't worry—these are skills your digitally native Gen Z can pick up easily.

💻 Ability to use digital devices:
I mean they’ve probably already nailed this one! The ability to quickly and efficiently navigate digital devices like smartphones, tablets, or laptops. It's more than just being able to DM - it’s about things like using a computer to write documents, create spreadsheets, or process information.
Example: Think about students using a tablet in school. Employers want them to be able to quickly navigate similar tools at work to write reports, create content, calculate budgets, enter data, or even troubleshoot basic issues like connecting to Wi-Fi.

📂 Data sharing and organisation:
This is all about collaborating with others using digital tools. Whether working in an office or remotely, they'll need to know how to share files, contribute, and stay organised.
Example: Picture this—an entry-level employee needs to collaborate with colleagues on a project using Excel. They’re expected to upload the file, share it with the team, insert data, and organise it in shared folders for everyone to access easily.

🔢 Data handling and security awareness:
Handling sensitive information responsibly is crucial in today’s workplace. Whether it's customer data or company financials, employers need to know their team members are being careful.
Example: Let’s say a future role will have access to customer information—employers expect them to understand the importance of locking their screen or using secure passwords to protect that data.

📧 Communication via email:
This might seem basic, but email is the backbone of professional communication. Knowing how to send a clear, polite email and manage an inbox is a must! It’s a complaint we hear often from employers.
Example: Maybe via email they’ll be expected to schedule a meeting with clients. Knowing how to craft that email politely and professionally shows they’re workplace-ready. An internal email to a colleague about the office summer party would need less formality.

🔍 Researching information online:
The ability to find accurate, useful information quickly is a key skill. It's not just about Googling—it’s about knowing where to look and how to evaluate if a source is trustworthy.
Example: Maybe they’ll be asked to create social content showing partner testimonies. Making sure the right name, logo, brand and image is attributed a partner quote on each post is crucial.

🔐 Handling sensitive information in virtual ecosystems:
With so many jobs and tasks requiring cloud-based platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft Teams, understanding how to safely handle and share files is essential.
Example: They’ll likely be using Google Drive, or similar cloud spaces, they should know who can view or edit documents, ensuring that sensitive information is only shared with the right people.

🎬 Take Action! Integrating Soft Skills with Digital Literacy

More insights and our hot picks for building basic Digital Skills any time, any place…

Gem Hallett,

miFuture Founder

Thank you for reading!

I hope this has provided valuable insights to support your young people.

📩 Keep an eye out for the next newsletter from me; I’ll share more on the importance of Digital Skills for the next generation of careers.