As part of Task 14.5, led by ISQ, a comprehensive assessment of workforce re-skilling and up-skilling needs was carried out to support the energy and digital transition of industry. The objective was to ensure that the adoption of advanced electric heating technologies, particularly induction and microwave heating, is accompanied by the development of the skills required for their effective implementation, operation, and maintenance.
The methodology combined documentary research, stakeholder mapping across industrial and institutional sectors, an international questionnaire targeting industry professionals, data triangulation to prioritise skills, and alignment with the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and gender equality. This comprehensive approach enabled the identification of the most relevant competencies needed to address the technological and organisational challenges associated with industrial decarbonisation.
The assessment highlighted the growing need for hybrid professional profiles based on the “Pi-shaped” educational model, which combines a strong foundation in sustainability and digitalisation with advanced technical expertise and essential transversal competences, including critical thinking, complex problem-solving, adaptability, and continuous learning. Overall, 18 priority knowledge areas were identified across four domains: technical, digital, sustainability, and transversal skills.
Building on these findings, a training plan consisting of five modules and thirteen submodules was developed, covering European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Levels 4 to 7. The proposed curriculum includes topics such as electromagnetic heating technologies, power electronics, operational safety related to electromagnetic fields, data analysis, industrial digitalisation, and change management.
Overall, Deliverable D14.5 – Skills Needs Assessment Report represents a strategic contribution to the objectives of the JOULIA project. By identifying current and future skills requirements and providing a structured training framework, it supports workforce upskilling and facilitates the effective uptake of more sustainable industrial technologies. In doing so, it contributes to strengthening industrial competitiveness while supporting the transition towards a more efficient, digital, and climate-neutral economy.
The full Deliverable 14.5 is available for download in the Deliverables section of the website.
