3rd ICAI 2024

International Conference on Automotive Industry 2024

Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic

fundamentally transform the entire mobility system. By focusing on this comprehensive change, we advocate for strategies that consider not just the technological shift towards electromobility, but also the socio-economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions of mobility. Our perspective underscores the importance of integrating diverse stakeholder viewpoints, ensuring that the transition addresses a wide range of needs and challenges, from environmental sustainability to social equity and accessibility. In the area of the automotive industry, this framework involves targeted training programs, financial and social support mechanisms, inclusive policies, and collaboration among stakeholders. The transition to new sustainable technologies in the automotive industry necessitates a workforce with a different set of skills. The main challenge in reskilling and upskilling lies in the scale and speed of the industry’s transformation. The number of jobs that could be lost because of poorly qualified professionals is estimated to be greater than four and a half million (Fong, 2020); (Waters, 2019); (Tracy, 2017). New jobs in the e-mobility sector require extensive training and a high education level. This scenario calls for robust training programs, significant investments, and collaborative efforts between industry, educational institutions, and governments (Zahidi & Leopold, 2016). However, the opportunities that arise from such initiatives are substantial, not only in terms of job creation but also in driving the industry towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future. While traditional roles focused on internal combustion engines are giving way to jobs requiring expertise in electric powertrains, battery technology, and advanced electronics. 2.2 Upskilling and reskilling The transition to a greener economy requires a mix of job-specific technical skills and broader, transversal skills. (Inter-Agency Working Group on Work-based Learning: Cedefop, European Commission, European Training Foundation, ILO, OECD, UNESCO, 2022). Technical skills are essential for adapting to or implementing new standards, processes, services, products, and technologies aimed at ecosystem and biodiversity protection, the development and deployment of net-zero technologies, and the reduction of energy, materials, and water use. These technical skills complement transversal skills, which include the knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes necessary for living, working, and acting in resource-efficient and sustainable economies and societies. The shift towards a more sustainable EU economy is significantly driven by technological progress and innovation in areas such as digitalization, automation, connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain. This makes digital skills crucial for the green transition. Employment opportunities arising from climate policies are expected to grow across all skill levels until 2030 (European Commission, 2019); (Asikainen et al., 2021), which could help counter the ongoing decline in middle skilled jobs. (OECD, 2023); (Saussay et al., 2022); (Vona, 2019). Despite this positive outlook, some of the middle-skilled and low-skilled jobs are on a decline.

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