The general objective of the TacPA Project isThe main objective of the EMDM is to encourage the development of new, innovative, high-level integrated transnational study programmes at Master level. Our needs analysis is based on a range of reports and surveys on public administration and e-government carried out for the last 2-3 years by international organizations (e.g. World Bank, OECD), national Ministries of Labour, the Employers' Confederation of Latvia (LDDK), and internet portals in Europe and Russia. One of the nine government transformation trends highlighted in the report of the Deloitte Center for Government Insights (2021) is accelerated digital government. Governments have accelerated their digital journey along three major dimensions: scaling digital infrastructure, creating a more digitally savvy workforce, and investing in citizen connectivity. This conclusion is in line with the Digital Europe programme for the period 2021-2027 which aims to strengthen investment in advanced digital skills as a cornerstone for the future in the employment, Digital competence is among the most demanding competencies of the future, along with social and learning competence, civil competence, and cultural awareness and expression (European Commission, 2018). Digital talent and skills are fundamental for an effective and sustainable digital transformation of the public sector. The 2021 edition of Government at a Glance reports that most OECD countries (76%) have strategies for the development of both user skills (e.g. email management) and professional digital skills (i.e. initiatives to attract and maintain specialists in digital technologies in the public sector) among civil servants. However, only 41% of the surveyed have conversion processes to increase the number of ICT professionals, and only 38% have partnerships with higher education on internships for ICT careers. In many countries, a career in the public sector is still considered as a good job opportunity.

LIEPAJA UNIVERSITY Latvia