Digital Skills and Employability in the Knowledge Economy

Digital skills have become one of the key prerequisites for employability in the knowledge economy, as they affect productivity, innovativeness, and individuals’ ability to adapt to technological change. This paper aims to examine the relationship between digital skills and employability in the knowledge economy, taking into account the role of adaptability and lifelong learning as additional predictors of employability. The empirical study was conducted on a sample of 98 respondents in the Republic of Serbia, using a structured questionnaire based on the DigComp framework for digital competence. The results indicate that digital skills have a statistically significant and positive effect on employability, while adaptability and lifelong learning also make independent contributions to explaining employability. The findings confirm that sustainable employability in the knowledge economy depends on a combination of technical competencies, adaptive capabilities, and readiness for continuous learning throughout the working life. The paper highlights the need for systematic development of digital skills through education, training programs, and active labour market policies to support inclusive employability under conditions of digital transformation.