Leiden, Netherlands, 10 June 2025 – The SkiLMeeT webinar “The future of skills in the context of the twin transition” brought together over 19 participants for a discussion on how the digital and green transitions are reshaping skill needs across Europe.
The event was organised and moderated by SkiLMeeT researcher Prof. Vassil Kirov of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences on June 5, 2025. It aimed to reach beyond the research world and connect with people who shape the world of work every day: employers, trade unions, and labour market practitioners.
“Our goal is to share insights and start a conversation about how data and research can help respond to changing skill needs,” said Kirov.
The webinar featured two presentations. Ulrich Zierahn-Weilage from Utrecht University shared insights from the SkiLMeeT research, “The Future of Work: Automation Risks and the Role of Education”. Zierahn-Weilage challenged the common fear of mass job loss due to automation. While up to 47% of current jobs could technically be automated, he emphasised that only about 9% are actually at high risk. The real challenge, he argued, is not the number of jobs disappearing, but whether workers have the skills to move into new roles. Ulrich demonstrated how Germany’s vocational training system is adapting to digital challenges byincorporating non-routine and digital competencies, which have been proven to boost wages and job stability in technology-exposed occupations. See the presentation here.
Chiara Foglio, speaking on behalf of the European Chemical Employers Group (ECEG), presented the goals and early findings of the ChemSkills project, which focuses on addressing skill gaps driven by the chemical sector’s triple transformation: green, digital, and sustainability-focused. She shared preliminary insights from the Future Skills Survey, showing that 61% of industry respondents expect the green transition to significantly impact their work, while 27% anticipate a strong effect from digital transformation. Chiara also emphasised the growing need for training in digital tools, sustainable-by-design chemistry, and circular economy practices, especially in the plastics and petrochemicals sectors. See the presentation here.
The presentations were followed by a discussion on how these findings can be applied in practice to support sectors facing disruption. Questions centred on how to ensure education systems can respond swiftly and effectively, and how policy and industry can collaborate to aid struggling sectors during economic crises.
The second webinar will be held in the autumn.
