Leiden, Netherlands, 31 May 2024 – Piotr Lewandowski, a SkiLMeeT researcher and the president of the Institute for Structural Research (IBS), addressed Poland’s looming shortage of skilled workers and the potential of AI and ICT technologies to mitigate it, during the Impact24 conference in Poznań on May 16, 2024.
Speaking to Poland’s corporate leaders at one of the country’s largest business events, Lewandowski warned that demographic trends could leave the Polish economy with a deficit of 500,000 specialists by 2040. He highlighted the crucial role AI and ICT could play in alleviating this shortage but cautioned that Poland must first invest in upgrading its workforce’s digital skills.
Lewandowski explained that although the country boasts a highly educated labour force, it lags behind Western Europe in digital proficiency.
“Our policies currently focus on the unemployed, but their numbers are relatively low. Instead, we should prioritise creating opportunities for adults to upgrade their skills and qualifications,” Lewandowski emphasised.
Lewandowski proposed three key policy initiatives to foster lifelong learning: grants for on-the-job training, Individual Learning Accounts, and training leave programmes.
