By Florian Linscheid (DHBW Karlsruhe)
Preliminary results – full version to follow after final interviews
What skills will Europe need tomorrow? And how can we equip today’s technical professionals to meet that challenge? These are the questions at the heart of Work Package 2 (WP2) of HUCO Labs. The goal: to design forward-thinking training concepts for mid-level technicians in a world shaped by digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation.
Three complementary research strands are already delivering exciting first findings:
🔍 The desk research reviewed leading European competence frameworks and revealed five key domains for future-oriented training:
- Research
- Innovation
- Development
- Green transformation
- Digital transformation
These were mapped against frameworks like NextSkills, GreenComp, and DigComp to ensure alignment with European standards and policy agendas.
🗣️ Expert interviews added real-world perspective. Across the board, communication skills, cybersecurity awareness, and interdisciplinary thinking stood out. But what did experts emphasize most? Motivation and the willingness to learn. In an ever-changing work environment, attitude matters just as much as expertise. Also crucial is the ability to make green ideas business-relevant.
📊 The online survey, completed by over 150 participants, confirmed these trends. Soft skills such as teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving were ranked nearly equal to technical competencies. AI literacy, data skills, and cost-benefit know-how for green technologies emerged as high-priority topics.
Please note this is a preliminary version of the WP2 findings. Final results will follow after all interviews have been evaluated. Still, one thing is already clear: the technician of the future will need more than technical know-how. They’ll need to be connected, curious, and continuously evolving.
Curious to learn more? This is just the beginning – stay with us as the journey continues.
Image above: Future Skills Map. Credits: Ehlers, U.-D. (2020). Future Skills: The Future of Learning and Higher Education.