Many new or transitioning adult educators face significant challenges in navigating the complex ecosystem of digital platforms, pedagogical tools, and instructional technologies required for effective distance education. This paper presents key insights from a competency-based training program designed to enhance digital competencies among adult educators, guided by the European DigCompEdu framework.

Findings highlight several critical barriers to digital competency development, including limited time, low confidence with technology, and insufficient institutional support. Providing educators with technology (hardware and software) alone proved insufficient; success depended on a deep understanding of individual contexts, digital literacy gaps, and professional needs. The training program must integrate individualized learning paths to address these challenges, fostering higher engagement and motivation by tailoring instruction to diverse educator profiles. Additionally, structured onboarding, ongoing mentorship, and continuous support mechanisms are essential in building confidence and digital fluency. A well-supported introduction phase ensures that educators are not only provided with tools and knowledge but also with the guidance needed to progress from survival to mastery in online teaching environments.

Evaluation through initial digital literacy assessments and exit interviews revealed that providing access to software and hardware and a rigid application of competency frameworks were insufficient. Instead, a flexible, context-aware approach combining DigCompEdu-aligned content with personalized onboarding and sustained mentorship yielded significant improvements in educators’ digital skills and preparedness for distance teaching. One surprising finding was that while the promise of “study anytime, anywhere” was initially seen as a motivator, it often became a barrier to completion, highlighting the need for structured pacing and community support in online teacher training.

This paper offers a practical and scalable model for training adult educators in the digital competencies necessary for online teaching.

Keywords: Adult education, online teaching, teacher training, DigCompEdu.