For a long time, digital literacy was treated as a skill needed by office workers, required for email, spreadsheets and presentation software. Trades, manufacturing, transportation and service roles were often seen as hands-on jobs where technology played a smaller role.
That is no longer the reality.
Today, digital tools are embedded in almost every workplace. Warehouse workers scan inventory on tablets. Construction crews use digital blueprints and scheduling apps. Healthcare aides log care notes electronically. Drivers rely on GPS systems and digital logs. Manufacturing workers monitor automated equipment through screens and dashboards.
And now, with artificial intelligence (AI) becoming part of scheduling, quality control, safety monitoring and training, the digital skills adults need in the workplace continue to evolve.
Digital literacy is not about coding or advanced technical expertise. It’s about having the confidence and practical skills to work safely, efficiently and independently in technology-enabled environments.
While the tools may look different from one workplace to another, the underlying skills are surprisingly similar. From construction sites to warehouses to care settings, today’s jobs are drawing on a common set of digital competencies that adults need in order to participate fully and fairly at work.
1. Comfort with digital devices and workplace systems
Many roles now depend on smartphones, tablets, kiosks, scanners and touchscreens. Workers may be expected to clock in digitally, complete safety checks, receive instructions or report issues through an app.
Key competencies include:
- Navigating device settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, updates, etc.)
- Logging into systems using usernames, passwords or biometric tools
- Following digital instructions, alerts and task lists
- Uploading photos, forms or checklists as proof of work
For workers who entered the labour market before this technology was common, these skills often had to be learned on the job—sometimes without formal training.
2. Reading and interpreting digital information
Digital literacy today is closely tied to reading comprehension. Instructions, warnings and procedures are increasingly delivered through screens rather than paper.
Workers need to:
- Read digital schedules, work orders and shift changes
- Understand symbols, icons and colour-coded alerts
- Follow step-by-step instructions presented on screens or apps
- Interpret charts, numbers or performance indicators
This matters for safety. Misreading a digital alert on a machine, vehicle or system can have serious consequences. Digital literacy is now directly linked to workplace health and safety.
3. Using digital tools to communicate and collaborate
Communication has also gone digital in many jobs. Instead of face-to-face updates, workers may receive information through text messages, apps or online portals.
Essential skills include:
- Composing and replying to messages clearly and professionally
- Understanding when to use text, voice notes or in-app messaging
- Checking messages regularly for updates or changes
- Knowing how to ask for help or report problems digitally
For many adults, especially those with lower literacy or language barriers, this shift can be stressful. Yet it’s increasingly required to stay informed and employed.
4. Cybersecurity and privacy awareness on the job
Digital safety is not just an IT concern—it affects frontline workers too. A stolen phone, shared password or suspicious link can put personal and company information at risk.
Workers need practical knowledge such as:
- Creating and remembering secure passwords
- Recognizing phishing messages or scam links
- Knowing what information should never be shared
- Protecting devices used at work, especially shared ones
As more systems collect data on workers, such as hours, locations and performance, privacy awareness becomes a basic workplace competency.
5. AI awareness: Understanding how technology is making decisions
AI is already being used behind the scenes in many companies: to assign shifts, track productivity, flag safety risks, predict maintenance needs or screen job applicants.
Workers may not need to understand the technical details—but they do need awareness.
Key AI literacy skills include:
- Knowing when a system is automated versus human-controlled
- Understanding that AI systems can make mistakes or be biased
- Knowing how to question or challenge decisions that don’t seem right
- Understanding what data is being collected and how it’s used
AI literacy, at its core, is about empowerment—helping workers understand the systems that increasingly shape their work lives.
6. Problem-solving with digital tools
Many jobs now expect workers to troubleshoot basic issues independently: a scanner not working, a form not submitting, a system freezing.
Useful competencies include:
- Following on-screen troubleshooting steps
- Restarting systems or devices safely
- Knowing when and how to escalate a problem
- Using digital tools to reduce repetitive work, not increase it
These skills reduce downtime and dependence on coworkers and supervisors for minor technical issues.
Digital literacy as a fairness and access issue
Perhaps most importantly, digital literacy has become a participation skill. Without it, workers may struggle to get hired, keep up or advance—regardless of how skilled they are at the hands-on parts of their job.
This is where adult literacy organizations play a critical role. By teaching practical, job-relevant digital skills—using real tools, real language and real scenarios—they help ensure that technological change doesn’t leave people behind.
Digital literacy is no longer optional or limited to office work. It is foundational across every sector of the economy. Supporting adults to build these competencies is not just workforce development—it’s economic inclusion.
To access free resources to improve digital literacy skills, visit abcconnectforlearning.ca.
