Regarding the target groups, Director of the Digital Society and Digital Competencies Department at MCIT Duha Al Buhendi told QNA that the Digital Skills Framework is designed to serve two main groups: individuals and organizations.

The individuals group, she said, includes professionals and employees across various sectors, students and graduates, job seekers, and the public interested in enhancing their digital competencies. The organizations comprises government and private organizations seeking to boost their digital readiness and improve employee capabilities, as well as educational and training institutions aiming to integrate digital skills into their curricula and academic plans, she added, noting that the framework helps these groups assess their digital skills, identify gaps, and embark on a guided learning journey toward a competitive digital future, with tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of each category.

In response to a question about the structure of the initiative, Al Buhendi said that the Framework is built on a comprehensive organizational structure consisting of four main groups, branching into 19 skill categories that cover various aspects of digital proficiency. This ensures an inclusive and integrated approach to digital capacity-building at the national level. Among the most important are digital behavioral skills, which focus on effective performance and adaptability, serving as essential enablers of collaboration and success in digital environments through digital communication and collaboration, cybersecurity awareness, creative responsibility and innovation, self-management, learning, and development, she noted.

The core technical skills focus on understanding, designing, and implementing activities related to systems, networks, software, hardware, emerging technologies, data, hyper-automation, and artificial intelligence—skills that support the development of AI-driven solutions to enhance efficiency and improve decision-making processes, she said.

Among the key competencies emphasized by the initiative are enabling technical skills, which play a critical role in supporting and advancing core digital and IT processes across areas such as digital marketing, user experience and interaction, project management, digital enterprise operations, technology management, digital strategy, and talent development and management strategies, Al Buhendi added.

Al Buhendi concluded her remarks to QNA by outlining the framework's competency levels, which classify the initiative's 115 identified digital skills into four stages, including Awareness, Knowledge, Ability, and Transformation. She explained that this classification is intended to ensure a structured and progressive development of digital capabilities—from awareness to mastery and the ability to lead digital transformation within organizations.

With its advanced digital infrastructure and commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies, the State of Qatar continues to launch innovative initiatives aimed at reshaping the national technology landscape and enhancing digital competence across society.

In this context, the country places special emphasis on promoting digital literacy and raising awareness of cybersecurity and responsible technology use—ensuring a safe and inclusive digital environment for all segments of society. The "Digital Skills Framework," launched by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, represents a strategic step toward empowering individuals and organizations with modern digital skills. It supports Qatar's national digital transformation and aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030, while also enhancing the global competitiveness of the national workforce. (QNA)