Practical course content to boost digital skills
The 40-hour online course comprises 16 modules, including topics relevant to the digital transformation:
- Digitalization fundamentals: Understanding the development, opportunities and challenges of digital transformation.
- New tech and emerging technologies: Insights into topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and 3D printing.
- Practical digital tools: Using cloud computing, e-commerce and information processing.
- Ways of working: Training in agile methods and digital creativity.
- The labor market and careers: Preparing for current and future changes in working life and developing strategies for financial independence.
Each module is varied and presented in an interactive way, with teaser videos, online training, podcasts and quizzes used as learning formats.
Audio transcripts for videos and podcasts make the content more accessible. Content is tailored to the needs and requirements of female employees in the respective countries and is available in several languages. Participants can be flexible and learn at their own pace, and course materials can be accessed on a variety of devices. Practical seminars, workshops and networking opportunities with industry experts are also part of the programme.
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants receive a certificate attesting to their digital skills.
Women Going Digital on atingi.org
Since 2023, Women Going Digital has been accessible worldwide in English and French via the online learning platform atingi.org. The interactive online course of around 40 hours is free of charge and teaches basic skills relating to various aspects of digitalisation and the digital transformation.
Empowering female staff, closing the digital gender gap
The digital transformation is reshaping industries worldwide – and opening up new opportunities for employees. However, women remain much less likely to benefit from this development as they are often underrepresented in the digital economy and consequently lack key basic knowledge. The divide between men and women in the digital economy – the digital gender gap – is considerable.
This is where Women Going Digital comes in. It is targeted at women who wish to enhance their digital literacy and provides companies with an opportunity to boost the skills of female employees in light of the digital transformation. In this context, the online education programme can be flexibly integrated into day-to-day work. It is designed to enable not only female staff within companies to gain valuable knowledge of digital topics, but also female multipliers and representatives of civil society organisations.
To date, the course has been carried out in four languages and with companies in the following countries:
The education programme directly benefits companies operating in developing countries and emerging economies. Ultimately, there are advantages to be gained from their own staff taking part:
- Greater productivity and flexibility: using the knowledge they have acquired, companies are able to implement and use digital tools such as video chat tools, messaging apps, intranets and cloud storage solutions.
- Competitive advantage: companies with digitally literate staff are better able to respond to new developments brought about by the digital transformation (AI, new tools and platforms).
- Lower error rate: well-trained staff can record, process and interpret data, leading to better decision-making and reducing susceptibility to errors.
- Increased capacity for innovation: people who understand digital opportunities contribute more ideas, identify opportunities to improve their processes earlier and drive innovation from within.
- Stronger employer profile: companies that invest in professional development for their staff are regarded as attractive employers.
Promoting female digital literacy is also important from the perspective of development policy:
- Economic growth: investment in digital skills contributes to economic development.
- Social justice: digital literacy promotes gender equality in the world of work.
Information on Women Going Digital on other websites
BMZ: digital.global
Women on the path to the digital future: “Women Going Digital” launches in Africa
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common-sense: eLearning & training consultants
GIZ & Business Scouts for Development | Online Course “Women Going Digital”
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Agency for Business and Economic Development
Blog article: Women Going Digital. Supporting women towards the digital future
Read moreLaunched in 2020, Women Going Digital is an online programme provided by AWE and developed in collaboration with the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad. Initiated by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and supported by BMZ, the programme is implemented by AWE with a wide range of partners from the private sector and the field of foreign trade promotion.
Frequently asked questions
What training programmes are offered by the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE) and Partners in Transformation?
Our services are intended, above all, to be practical and closely tailored to the needs of the private sector and development cooperation. Our training sessions and courses therefore deal with key issues, such as sustainable supply chains, digitalisation and the training of qualified specialists.
Who are our training sessions and courses aimed at?
In general, our training is aimed at key stakeholders in economic cooperation:
- Companies (especially SMEs) which operate internationally or wish to do so
- Associations and chambers which want to provide information to their members
- Investors who want to support sustainable projects
- Advisors and service providers who support companies with regard to sustainability and compliance
We therefore mainly provide training to multipliers. However, the focus is always on local people, who should benefit from fair working conditions and skills development.
Why are training courses so important in development cooperation?
Development cooperation stopped being solely about giving money long ago. Today it focuses on knowledge transfer and partnerships on an equal footing between countries and economic actors. Training courses therefore achieve a key objective of development cooperation and help to address global challenges. For example, while a sustainable supply chain helps to minimise risks (such as production downtime or low-quality goods), supporting equal opportunities can boost global gross domestic product.
Do the training courses result in financial benefits for companies?
Development cooperation, like economic cooperation, is designed for the long term and aims to resolve fundamental problems. That said, the training courses also offer short-term benefits. Clarity on legal issues not only ensures streamlined bureaucratic processes, but also avoids fines for inadvertent compliance violations. At the same time, familiarity with local conditions, risks and support programmes reduces market entry costs.
How do I go about arranging to take part in a training course?
Some of our courses are offered online, free of charge. We can work together to find the right training course for your company. For tailored advice, please contact beratung@wirtschaft-entwicklung.de.
