On 19 March 2025, the LCAMP Alliance, in collaboration with EARLALL, organised the webinar “Advanced Manufacturing Skills Analysis: Understanding Skills Challenges and Opportunities in AM Sectors across European Regions.” This event, part of EARLALL’s sector-focused skills analysis series, highlighted the importance of skills development in Advanced Manufacturing (AM) and showcased LCAMP’s work in supporting Vocational Education and Training (VET) centres across Europe.
Advanced Manufacturing (AM) is at the heart of Europe’s industrial and economic strategies, integrating automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to drive innovation. With over 30 million workers in Europe employed in this sector—20% of whom require advanced digital and technical skills—the need for upskilling and adaptation has never been greater.
Ralph Hippe from Cedefop presented key insights from a study on AI and skills foresight. The findings revealed that 61% of workers need additional training to adapt to AI, but 44% believe their employer will not provide it. The transition to AI-driven industries demands targeted training strategies, particularly for older workers, women, and SME employees. Hippe stressed the need for a public-private approach to address education gaps and workforce preparation for AI’s growing role in the industry.
LCAMP: Strengthening Regional VET Policies for Advanced Manufacturing
Iñigo Araiztegui, Director of the Internationalisation Department at Tknika, presented LCAMP (Learner-Centric Advanced Manufacturing Platform for Centres of Vocational Excellence – CoVEs) which plays a crucial role in helping regional VET centres adapt to the evolving landscape of advanced manufacturing.
LCAMP’s initiatives are highly relevant to the Basque Country, where advanced manufacturing is a key economic driver. The project fosters collaboration among VET schools, facilitates mobility projects, identifies emerging technology trends, and supports the development of Learning Factories. Recognizing LCAMP’s impact, the Basque government has integrated the initiative into its regional VET plan, ensuring CoVEs remain high on the policy agenda.
To enhance practical training, the government has also supported 22 VET schools in setting up Learning Factories, reducing teaching hours so educators can focus on developing hands-on training environments. These initiatives ensure that students gain relevant, future-proof skills in alignment with industry needs.
Beyond LCAMP, the webinar featured insights from other European regions tackling similar challenges in AM skills development:
Catalonia & the EXCEED Project
Albert Peiró from Escola del Treball de Barcelona discussed the EXCEED project, which focuses on green and digital manufacturing. The project promotes talent factories, international mobility programs, and curriculum innovation while integrating a Gender Equality Plan to encourage women’s participation in AM careers.
Flanders: Addressing Labour Shortages
Annick Haesaerts from GO! Education of the Flemish Community outlined how Flanders is tackling labour shortages and skills mismatches. Initiatives such as Adecco’s Workforce Academy 4.0 (forklift training) and Connectief – Diagnose Car (modern automotive skills training) exemplify efforts to bridge the gap between industry needs and workforce skills.
Lombardy & Fondazione Ergo’s SMARTT Valley
Rachele Sessa from Fondazione Ergo introduced SMARTT Valley, an industrial innovation hub in Varese. This initiative supports digitalization, robotics, and sustainability while providing training and technology transfer opportunities to SMEs.
The discussions reinforced the urgent need for continuous upskilling in robotics, AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics to maintain Europe’s global competitiveness in AM. Public-private collaboration, strategic investment in VET, and knowledge-sharing across European regions are crucial in tackling these challenges.
As a leading European initiative, LCAMP continues to drive innovation in vocational education and training, ensuring that future professionals in Advanced Manufacturing are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in an evolving industry. By fostering collaboration between VET schools, industry partners, and policymakers, LCAMP is shaping a resilient and future-proof workforce for European manufacturing.
Resources:
- Presentations
- AI and the EU skilling challenge. First insights from Cedefop’s AI skills survey & foresight study, Ralph Hippe, Expert in skills and workplaces, Department for VET and Skills, Cedefop
- Iñigo Araiztegui, Director of the Inernationalisation Department of Tknika, Basque Country: LCAMP
- Albert Peiró, Head of Studies at Escola del Treball de Barcelona: EXCEED
- Annick Haesaerts, Policy officer at GO! Education of the Flemish Community
- Rachele Sessa, Fondazione Ergo, Lombardy Region
- Watch the recording
