Swiss want to improve digital skills

Six out of ten respondents to a representative survey expect the Internet and technology to create new jobs. In view of such prospects, the fundamental attitude toward digitization remains positive. The fifth edition of the Oliver Wyman study "Switzerland's Digital DNA" is published as part of digitalswitzerland's Swiss Digital Day.

More than half want to develop digital skills

The restrictions associated with the Corona pandemic have accelerated digitization in Switzerland, as in many other countries. However, this also results in a need to catch up, as the fifth edition of a representative survey conducted by the international strategy consultancy Oliver Wyman with around 1,500 participants shows. According to the survey, 44% of all respondents want to further develop their technological skills. This desire is particularly pronounced among younger people. For 20% of all respondents, on the other hand, the first thing they want to do is familiarize themselves with new technologies; this is mainly expressed by older people. Overall, 76% of the Swiss population expressed a desire to learn. Professionals in particular are very aware of the growing importance of digital technologies. Thus, 62% stated that the Internet and technologies create jobs for people. However, a good one in five survey participants fear that they will not be able to keep up with the pace of technological progress; this applies in particular to workers in the hospitality industry, retail and public administration.

Digitization facilitates lifelong learning

"The majority of the Swiss population is no longer satisfied with their digital status quo," observes Nordal Cavadini, Partner at Oliver Wyman. "After the pandemic experience, people want to use digitalization more for themselves and actively shape it." If employers want to retain skilled workers, they should embrace this desire and upskill their employees themselves or financially support their willingness to learn. The advance of e-learning is making training easier. According to 75% of those surveyed, the Internet and technology simplify the learning process.

Diana Engetschwiler, who is responsible for Swiss Digitaltag, an initiative of digitalswitzerland, says: "The digital sovereignty of the Swiss population has been the focus of Digitaltag since the very beginning. The digital transformation can only be shaped if people are involved in the digital transformation. The concern of the national Digitaltag is to involve people in the open discourse about the transformation and to offer further education to spark self-initiative for lifelong learning."

The Swiss also see the benefits of ongoing digitization in other areas of life. Internet and technologies simplify mobility planning for 80% and democratic participation opportunities for 68%. In view of such advantages, three out of four respondents see digitization as an opportunity for Switzerland. The Swiss are particularly open to change in the healthcare sector. Six out of ten respondents say the Internet and technologies are already helping them to live healthier lives. Kolja Dutkowski, Principal at Oliver Wyman and digital expert, urges haste: "Digitization is a huge opportunity for the healthcare sector to personalize the current offering and increase efficiency. The sooner stakeholders make tangible progress, the greater the opportunity to reduce reservations."

Reluctance to share data with tech companies and online retailers

Across all industries, the Swiss population trusts hospitals, doctors and health insurers more than any other industry when it comes to sharing personal data. According to the survey, this applies to 69%. Otherwise, the respondents only rate their banks and the scientific sector (universities, colleges, research institutes) similarly positively. By contrast, distrust prevails above all toward online retailers and technology companies. Only 24% of respondents have confidence in these high-growth sectors of the economy; 56% lack it. For domestic online retailers, however, the survey also contains a positive message: they were able to profit more from the pandemic-related increase in purchases via the web than foreign competitors.

The topic of trust and the associated restrictive handling of data will continue to occupy companies. 61% emphasized that they are reluctant to pass on data to third parties.
would pass on. The continuing skepticism results, among other things, from concerns about cyberattacks. A good 70% of the Swiss population assume that the Internet and technology will lead to an increase in cybercrime. Oliver Wyman industry expert Dutkowski calls on the business community to act: "In the digital age, data is of central importance. Those who want to use it must guarantee their customers the highest security standards and communicate transparently."

When it comes to protecting their data and the further spread of digital technologies, however, the Swiss do not want to rely on companies alone. The majority of respondents still believe that increased regulation of the technology sector is necessary. Oliver Wyman partner Cavadini calls for greater dialog: "Politics and business must find a good balance of different interests so that the next stage of digitization succeeds." The willingness of the Swiss population to go along with it is definitely there; this is also shown by the current survey.

Source and further information: https://digitaltag.swiss/