So critical is technological competence now to social and economic life that there is now a new dimension to exclusion, that of the digital divide. Studies show that better access to computers and the Internet is linked to social advantage, ethnic and educational background, and even where someone lives. Access is important but there is a risk of the digital divide being over-simplified. Instead of being narrowly technological, to be bridged primarily through investing in more computers and Internet connectivity, it has deep social and educational roots calling for a broad range of policies. Wider access to ICT is needed in libraries and community centres as well as schools.
Partnerships have to be built with the telecommunications companies.
An ICT dimension should be integrated into broad social and educational equity strategies. Inequalities persist past basic schooling. Participation in adult education tends to follow closely the patterns of success in initial education, with the alarming result that inequalities among young people grow even wider. The same holds true for participation in job-related training. The International Adult Literacy Survey also found after controlling for other factors hours worked, company size, professional grade that those making greatest use of their skills at work are six to eight times more likely to receive company training than the low-skilled.