Manufacturing skills for a sustainable future

?“The best investment in our future is the investment in our people. Skills and education drive Europe’s competitiveness and innovation. But Europe is not yet fully ready. I will ensure that we use all the tools and funds at our disposal to redress the balance.”- Ursula von der Leyen , president of the European Commission in the opening statements of European Skills Agenda. *Source

We are living in a time where uncertainty, complexity, and volatility are the new normal. Facing global challenges has never been as complicated as it is today.?

Transitioning into a more sustainable life is “fortunately” becoming everyone’s concern in Europe; not only for organisations, governments, and communities; but also for citizens, since it clearly involves the well-being of future generations.

Now is the time to act. Europe is undergoing a paradigm shift in its approach to skills, one that champions an ambitious agenda for job-oriented skills, fostering the twin transitions and securing a rebound from the socio-economic aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.?

In early 2020, the European Commission introduced the European Skills Agenda, aiming to promote sustainable competitiveness, social fairness, and resilience. It outlined ambitious, measurable goals for enhancing current skills (upskilling) and acquiring new ones (reskilling) over the next five years. Through 12 actions focused on skills, the agenda emphasises aligning skills with employment opportunities through collaboration with Member States, businesses, and social stakeholders driving transformative shifts. Here are the 12 Actions for jobs already set by the European Commission:

1.????? The Pact for Skills?

2.????? Strengthening skills intelligence?

3.????? EU support for strategic national upskilling action?

4.????? Proposal for a Council Recommendation on Vocational Education and Training for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience?

5.????? Rolling out the European universities’ initiative and upskilling scientists?

6.????? Skills to support the green and digital transitions?

7.????? Increasing STEM graduates & fostering entrepreneurial & transversal skills?

8.????? Skills for Life?

9.????? Initiative on Individual Learning Accounts?

10. A European approach to micro-credentials?

11. New Europass Platform?

12. Improving the enabling framework to unlock Member States’ and private investments in skills?

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How does this impact manufacturing?

Within the manufacturing sector, skills and talent are the primary focus. Challenges such as retaining and attracting the right talent, with adequate profiles and skills matching the requirements of the future, are more pressing than ever. The European manufacturing industry needs a qualified and engaged workforce with the right skills to master green and digital transition aligned with the Paris Agreement, European Green Deal, and Fit for 55, among other key initiatives.?This workforce will drive clean-energy solutions and innovative business models making the European industry more competitive and sustainable. However, several challenges must be addressed and surmounted before this vision can be fully realised. One of them is the skills gap, and how manufacturing companies are bridging it to achieve sustainable innovation.

EIT Manufacturing acknowledges the significance of this moment, where a transformation requires the collaboration of society, industry, businesses, academia, and individuals. At the same time, the dedication of European manufacturers to shifting towards a greener industry operating responsibly and embracing circular economy principles is of pivotal importance as it can lead Europe towards becoming the world's inaugural climate-neutral continent.

According to a poll that EIT Manufacturing launched on LinkedIn, 57 out of 15,4K followers think that Analytical leadership skills (18%), STEM disciplines (32%), creativity & digital skills (30%) and communication and cooperation skills (21%) are the most needed skills towards sustainable manufacturing innovation.?

Accelerating sustainable manufacturing in Europe requires a range of “green skills” meeting the demands of environmentally friendly production processes and technologies. According to the European Skills Agenda, The World Economic Future of Jobs Report, ?the whitepaper “CLOSING THE SKILLS GAP” and an e-book about “KEY SKILLS TO ACCELERATE MANUFACTURING SECTOR TRANSFORMATION” both developed by Dassault Systems, a science-based company providing solutions for innovation, the sets needed to accelerate sustainable manufacturing in Europe (include, but are not limited to):

Creativity & digital skills:

Creative thinking is essential for devising new and innovative ways to make manufacturing processes more sustainable. Digital skills enable the implementation of these ideas through technologies like IoT, AI, and automation.?

Creativity in design, coupled with digital tools like CAD (Computer-Aided Design), allows for the creation of products and processes that are optimised for environmental performance, such as using fewer resources or incorporating recyclable materials.?

Digital skills are crucial for managing and optimising energy usage in manufacturing operations. Creative solutions can lead to innovative ways of incorporating renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, into the manufacturing process.?

STEM disciplines:

These disciplines, encompassing engineering, chemistry, environmental engineering, and computer science, play a vital role in advancing sustainable manufacturing. Engineers employ mathematical models to optimise processes, reducing resource consumption and waste. Chemists and materials scientists create eco-friendly materials, lessening the environmental impact of production. Environmental engineers design systems to combat pollution and manage waste in line with sustainable practices. Computer scientists develop software to enhance energy efficiency and resource use in manufacturing. This collaborative effort in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics drives industries towards greener practices for a more environmentally conscious and economically viable manufacturing landscape.

Change Management and Leadership:?

Skills in driving organisational change towards sustainable manufacturing practices, and effectively leading teams in achieving sustainability goals.?

Green Technology and Innovation:?

Understanding and applying cutting-edge technologies and innovations in sustainable manufacturing processes, such as renewable energy integration, waste reduction, and resource-efficient production.?

Circular Economy Knowledge:?

Expertise in the principles of a circular economy, which involves minimising waste, reusing materials, and recycling products to create a closed-loop system.?

Digitalisation and Industry 4.0 Skills:?

Familiarity with digital technologies, data analytics, and IoT (Internet of Things) applications that can enhance sustainability efforts in manufacturing.?

Cross-disciplinary Collaboration:?

Ability to work collaboratively with experts from various fields, including engineering, environmental science, supply chain management, and policy, to integrate sustainability practices.?

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:?

Ability to effectively communicate sustainable manufacturing initiatives to internal and external stakeholders and engage them in the adoption of sustainable practices.?

Facilitating the transformation of the manufacturing sector towards a digital, and environmentally conscious future is a highly demanding task that calls for a collaborative approach. Through prioritising investment in human capital, the European manufacturing industry can position itself in the global arena, offering solutions to some of the planet's most pressing issues. Together, manufacturing is changing, adapting, and transforming to meet the future needs of the European economy.

For this reason, this year’s edition of EIT Manufacturing Summit 2023, under the umbrella of the European Year of Skills, will focus on the role of skills in achieving sustainable manufacturing innovation in Europe. It will deliver innovation in action by showcasing best-performing projects and solutions for solving current global challenges

Register today and be a part of shaping the future of European manufacturing!

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