IMPROVING DIGITAL COMPETENCES AS A FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL AND LABOUR POTENTIAL IN THE CONTEXT OF INNOVATIVE ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATIONS

Abstract

The digitalisation of the economy, which covers all aspects of business, is changing traditional forms of employment, increasing the role of freelancing, remote work and other flexible models. At the same time, there is a growing demand for skilled workers who can effectively use digital tools. The insufficient level of digital knowledge and skills of employees creates serious barriers to the realisation of their social and labour potential, reducing the competitiveness of both individual employees and organisations as a whole. The authors show that digital competences are a prerequisite for successful integration into the European digital market and consider the importance of introducing digital technologies in Ukraine, in particular in the context of the post-war economic recovery. The paper analyses the indicators of digital transformation of Ukrainian regions and outlines the key problems that hinder the development of digital infrastructure. In this context, the importance of developing the social and labour potential as a component of economic recovery and ensuring sustainable development in the context of digitalisation is emphasised. The authors identify the main factors that hinder the development of social and labour potential, among which the digital divide plays a leading role. This phenomenon is multidimensional and manifests itself in age and regional disparities, as well as in limited access to the Internet and digital services in remote or frontline areas. In addition, it has been found that the population groups with a lower capacity to acquire digital skills include, first of all, employees aged 40 and over and the rural population. The article emphasises the need to formulate a state policy aimed at eliminating the digital divide and ensuring the inclusiveness of the digital environment for all categories of the population, in particular among employed persons aged 30 to 49, who form the main core of the labour market. The proposed recommendations include the development of digital infrastructure, the implementation of educational programmes for the development of digital skills, financial support for socially vulnerable groups, and incentives for the private sector to engage in digital transformation.