On June 21, 2012 at the press-conference within the framework of the Petersburg International Economic Forum 2012 Institute of the Information Society (IIS) and Microsoft announced the results of research on “Role of ICT Competences in Social and Economic Development of Russia”. In the course of discussion attended by representatives of the state and the expert community there were presented the results of the most recent researches on the level of ICT ingression in Russia, skills and needs of citizens in using contemporary technologies and ICT competencies impact on innovative development of economy and social sphere as a subcomponent of country’s human capital. Besides experts discussed the significance of development of knowledge and skills of Russians in ICT sphere and results of two and half years of Microsoft “Your Course” program aimed at increasing computer literacy.

According to the results of the research conducted by IIS the level of ICT competence of Russians today is behind European indexes but this gap is rapidly decreasing. Since 2008 the difference in proportions between internet users in Russia and European countries (EU) decreased more than twofold. At the same time a significant lag is still visible both in quantitative (amount of computers per head), and qualitative sense (how the technologies are used, electronic public services, etc). Today in Russia 58% of the population use computer at least once a week, whereas in EU it is 69%. Approximately the same is the balance between internet users: 56% in Russia and 68% in EU.

“Russia is one of strategically crucial countries on the world arena, center of innovations, economic growth and entrepreneurship talent. – We are proud with the input in Russian innovative economy, particularly in developing human capital and ICT competences and realizing Russian citizens’ potential”, said Jean-Philippe Courtois, President of Microsoft International.

Youth is certainly the leader in ICT use in Russia. The share of users working with computer on a daily basis among young people aged 16-24 is 87% (92% in Europe), and in a senior group aged 55-74 only 18% use computers (42% in EU).

At the same time the need for technologies’ use for solving personal and professional problems is quite high among modern Russia’s citizens. ICT competences are more and more required for employment purposes: 10 years ago ability to use computer or internet was mandatory for a potential employee only in 7% of cases, but now this index increased to 30%. Also Russian residents demonstrate interest and call for electronic public services: 42% of adult population consider internet to be the most convenient way of communication with public authorities.

“Development of ICT competences is a key goal of the information society. It cannot function without them. ICT knowledge and skills become the most important part of human capital, which in postindustrial times is the accelerator of social and economic development and increase in competitiveness of the country”, – explains Yuri Hohlov, Chairman of the IIS Board of Directors. – “Today the level of ICT ingression in Russia reached the threshold when positive influence on economy and life is visible”.

According to expert evaluation the leading role in ICT competences’ development is played by programs of increasing computer literacy. This is proved by the researches: 48% of people, who ever had special training, feel fine working with computer and can carry out the majority of basic operations, whereas among people, who never took any computer courses, there are only about 17% of experienced users.

One of the most efficient programs aimed at increase of computer literacy is the Microsoft “Your Course” initiative, which was launched in Russia in February 2010. In total in 2010-2012 about 700 thousand citizens of Russia obtained support within the framework of this project in forms of consultations and trainings, including more than 200 thousand people, who completed computer literacy courses. Training seminars and courses were conducted in 100 towns of Russia by 120 partner organizations – participants of the project.

The survey allowed estimating the contribution of the “Your Course” project in the development of ICT skills of Russian citizens. 2.6% of those, who had computer trainings in the past 3 years, did this in the course of Microsoft initiative. IIS researches also confirmed high recognizability of this initative among population: according to polling the recognizability of the “Your Course” program among people aged 16-74 is 16%.

“Such programs do not only increase personal professional level of each person but also affect the economic growth, increase of competitiveness of the country. Thus in 2012 we ascended to the 56^th position in the Global Innovation Index (in 2008 we had the 68^th position). Russia shows positive dynamics in development of knowledge economy, which in the charted course and thanks to educational initiatives will provide for increasing labor capacity at the world level”, – says Dmitry Peskov, Director of “Young Professionals” trend of the Strategic Initiative Agency.

The details of IIS research are available at http://e-competences.iis.ru (in Russian), executive summary – at http://www.iis.ru/docs/e-Competences_Executive_Summary.pdf (in English).