The advent of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the job market. Within a few years, up to half of all jobs could be partially or entirely transformed, with some positions disappearing altogether. However, interest in retraining courses offered by the Labor Office focusing on digitalization remains low.
Since May 2022, nearly 14,000 people have chosen to retrain with the Labor Office for computer skills, with 10,000 completing their courses by June. According to Martin Bušo, spokesperson for the Labor Office, the most popular courses include personal computer operation, computer literacy, accounting, and tax evidence using computing technology, payroll accounting, and web application programming.
From February 2023, the “I’m in the Course” program saw 13,500 people enroll in digital courses, with 10,000 completing them. The most common courses were digital literacy, Excel and Word proficiency, and courses on programming, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Despite the slow start, interest in these computer courses has grown, becoming one of the most frequently utilized types of retraining. Bušo noted that approval for retraining is not automatic; applicants must meet several conditions, including various qualification prerequisites. The retraining must also be “purposeful and necessary.”
Experts argue that the state should motivate more people to enrol in such courses. Ondřej Hanuš, project leader of ITjede.cz, emphasized that the number of people trained in digital skills is not high and needs to grow. Companies require prepared employees capable of responding to increasing demands for digitalization and automation of processes.
According to Tomáš Dombrovský from Alma Career, the number of trained individuals is still insufficient, but he remains optimistic that the situation will improve. He believes that hundreds of thousands of people will undergo training in the coming years due to changes in the job market, with funding coming not only from public money but also from companies.