Essential digital skills

Technology is constantly changing – and it’s easy to feel left behind or overwhelmed with the technology others are using in your industry.

Here are some ways to build your essential digital skills to help you feel more comfortable using technology and potentially give your business a competitive edge.

Conduct a digital skills review

As a first step, identify your digital strengths and any gaps you might need to address.

Consider what you and your employees know about technology, which digital tools you currently use, and how comfortable everyone feels performing digital tasks. This review can help you identify what's working well, where you might need extra support and opportunities to improve or expand your use of technology.

You don’t need to be across every tool and platform available. Instead, identify areas where additional training, software or technology upgrades might be worthwhile.

Digital capability self assessment checklist

We’ve developed a suite of self assessment checklists to help you assess your skills across a range of digital capability areas.

We recommend starting with our Essential digital skills checklist and then working your way through the rest of the series as you read the digital information on our website.

Complete the Essential digital skills checklist

Start with the basics

When you have identified the gaps in your digital knowledge, you can make informed decisions about the next steps to take.

For example, you might feel unsure when using new digital tools or apps or rely on others to help with basic technology tasks. Perhaps you worry about changing settings or installing software upgrades, or you need a better system to manage your file, passwords and accounts.

If your digital journey is just starting, it could be worth investigating:

• WA Digital Inclusion Project – This project aims to support more people to access the benefits of technology and address common challenges or barriers they may face.
• Introductory Digital Literacy Skill Set course offered by Jobs and Skills WA through TAFE. This is a fee-free, entry-level course designed to build confidence using computers, the internet and digital tools.

These options could be great starting points to help you learn more and keep adding to your digital skillset.

You should aim to feel confident using a computer, tablet or smartphone for tasks such as email communication, online banking and other key business systems.

You should also understand how your data is collected and used by websites and apps, as well as how you collect and manage your customers’ data. It’s important to know how to recognise false or misleading information online, to help stay protected against scams, hacks or other cyber issues.

Expand your digital skill set

If you already have basic digital skills, you can then expand your skill set to learn even more about adapting to new digital platforms, upgrades and features as they are introduced.

We have created a list of free online resources to help you hone your digital and design skills.

Explore free online resources.

Training and upskilling opportunities in WA

If you decide to undertake extra training or use online resources to build your digital skills, start by focusing on what would make the biggest difference to how you run your business. 

Some of the options available include:

• SBDC workshops – We offer a range of low cost, business skills workshops, delivered online and in person. These workshops are packed with practical information and useful hints and tips across a range of business topics.
• Operate a Small Business Skill Set – This is a free accredited short course offered through Jobs and Skills WA and delivered by TAFE. It’s designed to help develop practical digital skills such as using spreadsheets, social media and business documentation.
• Digital Solutions Program – This Australian Government program provides free and subsidised support, including expert-led workshops and self-paced online tutorials, to help small business owners improve their digital capability.
• Be Connected – A digital skills hub created by the Australian Government offering free, self-paced learning modules on topics such as online safety, digital tools, online banking, and building confidence with digital devices.
• Microsoft Australia – You can enrol in free digital skills training including modules on productivity tools, online safety and even AI basics. If there’s a specific skill, software or platform you want to learn about, you may also find a targeted training program designed for that purpose. 

Commit to ongoing learning

Technology is always evolving, so make digital upskilling an ongoing priority for you and your team. This will help you meet customer expectations, keep pace with changes in technology and allow your business to thrive in a fast-paced digital world.