TL;DR
90% of jobs in the next decade will require digital skills, yet only 54% of workers currently have them, according to the Future Skills Centre. Digital literacy training isn’t optional — it’s the dividing line between economic mobility and exclusion. If you or someone you know needs access to devices, internet, or digital training, Human-I-T’s programs exist to close that gap.
Table of Contents
- Why Does Digital Literacy Matter for Future Jobs?
- What’s Happening to the Job Market Right Now?
- Why Are So Many Adults Still Digitally Unprepared?
- How Does Digital Literacy Connect to the Digital Divide?
- What Can You Do About It?
- FAQ
Introduction
Nearly a third of the U.S. workforce has "little to no" digital literacy skills, according to a 2026 EDUCAUSE report. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 found that 60% of employers expect broadening digital access to be the single most transformative trend reshaping the labor market. The gap between what jobs demand and what workers can deliver isn’t shrinking. It’s accelerating.
This isn’t a problem that will solve itself with time. Employers expect 39% of key skills required in the job market will change by 2030, according to the WEF. Working families, single parents, and entire communities without access to devices, internet, or training aren’t just inconvenienced — they’re locked out of the modern economy. And the lock keeps getting more complex.
Why Does Digital Literacy Matter for Future Jobs?
Because the jobs that don’t require digital skills are vanishing. According to the Future Skills Centre, 90% of jobs in the next decade will require digital skills — but only 54% of workers currently possess them. That’s a workforce crisis hiding in plain sight.
The economic stakes are concrete. Research from the National Skills Coalition shows that moving from a job requiring no digital skills to one requiring just one digital skill can yield a 23% increase in wages. Master three or more digital skills, and wages can increase by roughly 45%, according to the World Economic Forum.
Digital literacy isn’t a nice-to-have credential. It’s the floor for economic participation.
What’s Happening to the Job Market Right Now?
Automation continues to eliminate low-skill work that doesn’t require human input. A report from the National Academy of Sciences found that "the educational system will need to adapt to prepare individuals for the changing labor market." That adaptation isn’t happening fast enough.
Workers know the stakes. A Pew Research Center survey found that 87% of workers believe it will be essential for them to get training and develop new job skills throughout their work life in order to keep up with changes in the workplace. The demand for STEM careers continues to outpace supply — and these technology-driven roles depend on exactly the kind of foundational digital literacy that millions of working families still lack.
Preparing workers for this reality requires ongoing training, not one-time workshops. The labor market doesn’t pause while people catch up.
Why Are So Many Adults Still Digitally Unprepared?
Because digital readiness isn’t just about willingness — it’s about access, trust, and opportunity. A Pew Research Center survey found that 52% of adults are relatively hesitant to use digital tools in their learning. That hesitation is tied to "their professed lower levels of digital skills and trust in the online environment."
Nearly a third of the U.S. workforce still operates with little to no digital literacy skills, according to the 2026 EDUCAUSE study. This isn’t individual failure. It’s the predictable result of systemic barriers: no device at home, no affordable internet, no accessible training programs. These are the hallmarks of digital redlining — where entire communities are excluded not because they lack motivation, but because the infrastructure of inclusion was never built for them.
Making digital literacy training comfortable, accessible, and affordable for everyone will be essential for digital readiness among job seekers. The technology itself updates constantly. The training must keep pace.
How Does Digital Literacy Connect to the Digital Divide?
"Digital literacy is the second most important thing in bridging the digital divide," says James Jack, Co-founder of Human-I-T. "We want people who are not currently using technology to [use it to] benefit their lives and help accomplish their goals to do that."
That connection between access and skills runs both ways. Without a device and internet connection, digital literacy training is meaningless. Without digital literacy skills, a device and internet connection sit unused. This is why a holistic approach matters — one that addresses devices, connectivity, training, and ongoing support simultaneously.
Paulina Sanchez, Program Manager at Human-I-T, puts it this way: "As technology advances, I think making it available to everyone else and user friendly will encourage greater use of new technologies." Greater use leads to greater proficiency. Greater proficiency leads to economic mobility.
Digital literacy has the potential to disrupt job outcomes everywhere — not just in the technology sector. Focusing on building these skills for new generations will ensure that no one is left behind. But that requires organizations willing to bridge every gap at once, not just the convenient ones.
What Can You Do About It?
Digital literacy isn’t someone else’s problem. Whether you’re a working parent trying to navigate online job applications, an organization sitting on unused technology, or a community leader watching families fall behind — action starts now.
If you need access: Check your eligibility for Human-I-T’s programs — low-cost devices, affordable internet, digital training, and tech support designed for working families.
If you have technology to give: Donate your unused devices to Human-I-T. Your old laptop doesn’t belong in a landfill. It belongs in the hands of someone building their future.
If you want to learn more: Read about the social cost of digital exclusion or explore how we’re bridging the digital divide with community partners.
Get connected today. No gimmicks. No gatekeeping. Just real access for real families.
FAQ
What percentage of jobs require digital skills in 2025?
According to the Future Skills Centre, 90% of jobs in the next decade will require digital skills. Yet only 54% of workers currently have them — creating a massive workforce gap that disproportionately affects underserved communities.
How does digital literacy training affect wages?
The impact is direct and measurable. The National Skills Coalition reports that gaining just one digital skill can increase wages by 23%. Mastering three or more digital skills can boost wages by roughly 45%, according to the World Economic Forum.
Why do so many adults lack digital skills?
It’s not about motivation — it’s about barriers. Low levels of existing digital skills, lack of trust in online environments, and limited access to devices and affordable internet all contribute. Nearly a third of the U.S. workforce operates with little to no digital literacy skills.
Where can I get affordable digital literacy training and devices?
Human-I-T provides low-cost devices, affordable internet, digital training, and ongoing tech support for income-qualified families. Fill out the form to check your eligibility and take the first step toward closing the digital divide.
How can I help close the digital skills gap?
Donate your unused technology to Human-I-T. We refurbish devices and put them into the hands of families who need them — extending the lifespan of electronics while building digital equity. It’s donate, don’t recycle.
