A key milestone has been reached in the E-SHIFT project: the completion of the international needs analysis.
The research aimed to better understand how digitalisation, automation, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce are changing the world of work and what competences workers need to remain competitive in this evolving environment.
Across the partner countries, the consortium conducted stakeholder interviews, worker surveys, and business model analyses. The findings highlight that manufacturing jobs are not simply disappearing due to automation. Instead, many roles are changing and increasingly require a combination of technical expertise, digital competence, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.
The research also identified several challenges. Workers often face barriers to participating in training, including lack of time, limited access to suitable learning opportunities, and uncertainty about future career pathways. At the same time, employers and training providers emphasised the growing importance of digital literacy, data-related skills, and entrepreneurial thinking.
These findings will directly inform the next phase of the project: the development of a Skills Assessment Matrix and personalised learning pathways that support workers in preparing for the jobs of tomorrow.
By grounding its activities in evidence and stakeholder perspectives, E-SHIFT aims to ensure that future training opportunities are relevant, practical, and closely aligned with labour market needs.
