The rise of new advanced technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence are transforming the nature of jobs. According to the OECD report on the future of work, 46% of jobs are facing a high risk of automation or substantial change. Routine tasks are increasingly becoming automated, while newly created jobs require different competences. High-tech skills are lacking and businesses are struggling to find the right profiles to fill their job vacancies. According to the WEF report on the future of Jobs, 54% of employees will require significant re-/upskilling by 2022. It calls for a large-scale effort to upskill and/or reskill the workforce.

A skills paradigm must be developed to meet the demands of industry by having skills at the heart of the industrial policy. Following the EU industry days 2019 and the future of work high-level events, the conference will convene business executives, policymakers, academics and education and training stakeholders to foster dialogue as well as to agree on priorities and concrete measures, to help implement upskilling strategies.

Day 1 – 19 June: Vision and solutions for a massive skills upgrade of the European workforce

• Grasp the transformation of industry and its impact on skills: speed of change, major opportunities, challenges and policy issues
• Define a vision for a skills for industry strategy 2030 to turn Europe into a world-leading centre of excellence for skills
• Bridge the skills gap: education and training responding to the needs of the labour market
• A dialogue between business and political leaders on concrete measures for Europe based on identified best practices

Day 2 – 20 June: Mobilising funding programmes and incentives to scale-up best practices

• Understand the current funding landscape
• Define new innovative financing models dedicated for skills
• Scaling-up best practices at European level
• Future funding perspectives in the upcoming multi-financial framework (2021-2027)

To register and find out more about the event and relevant background documents, please visit the conference webpage.