Could digital competence be one of the most important key competencies of the future?

The study examines the development of digital competence among first-year students of Ludovika National University of Public Service. In response to the growing demands of the labor market and public service, the university introduced a compulsory course aligned with the DigComp 2.1 framework. The training aimed to develop five key areas: information and data management, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, security, and problem solving. The research measured student progress across several semesters using a combination of self-assessment questionnaires, document analysis, and performance-based assessments. The study confirms that targeted, practice-oriented digital competence development can lead to measurable progress in a short period of time. Students evaluated the course structure, teaching methods, and alignment with labor market expectations positively. The case study serves as a replicable model for other higher education institutions and can contribute to the integration of digital literacy into university curricula.