There is a large consensus in European on the growing demand for leadership in ICT innovation, increasingly referred to as 'e-leadership'. Recent research demonstrates that there is a significant shortage of e-leaders in Europe. Closing this skills gap requires an ecosystem perspective connecting the demand and supply side stakeholders of e-leadership skills. Responding to the inadequacies in the skills market flagged by stakeholders across the EU, the European Commission has launched the "e-skills strategy" and the "Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs". After responding to requirements for increased professionalism among ICT practitioners, and developing strategies and instruments to bridge the gap between e-skills demand and supply at that level, the new focus is on the skills gap in the e-leadership domain. The first pan-European initiative on e-leadership was launched in 2013. Empirica together with a larger number of partners is responsible for carrying out this initiative for the European Commission. In 2013 and together with National Correspondents from ENIR in the EU28 Member States, empirica has conducted comprehensive research on the European higher and executive education landscape to identify programmes combining key skill sets for e-leadership - understanding of advanced IT and business innovation methods. Over 1,000 post grad, Master's grade programmes were found across Europe delivering this mix of learning outcomes - advanced business and IT for leadership roles. However, it emerged that the vast majority of current offers provide full-time study for career entrants. This is good for building a baseline for future e-leadership, but inadequate to deliver against innovation leadership requirements in the economy this decade. Less than 50 programmes across Europe qualify as candidates in e-Leadership who already bring with them significant leadership experience so that they can leave the programme able to lead the digital transformation of their organisations.
More information: http://www.eskills-guide.eu