ASA at EuroSPI 2026: Feeling the wind of change in Europe’s automotive skills landscape
EuroSPI 2026 took place in Cairo, Egypt, from 8 to 10 September 2026, hosted by Nile University. The conference brought together 167 participants from industry and academia across a pre-event and three conference days. The programme included seven topic streams and nine international keynotes. Leading automotive companies took part, including Volkswagen and Cariad, Honda, Suzuki, Bosch, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Valeo, Magna Powertrain and HELLA/FORVIA.
The Automotive Skills Alliance (ASA) played a visible role in the programme. Svatopluk Štolfa, representing ASA, led the topic stream on Digitalisation of Industry, Infrastructure and E-Mobility. The coordinators of ASA’s Innovation Agent Working Group led the Innovation & Sustainability stream.
Keynote panel: European Skills (R)Evolution
ASA President Dr Jakub Štolfa moderated the keynote session “European Skills (R)Evolution – Feel (discuss) the wind of change”. The session looked at the fast-changing skills needs of the automotive and mobility ecosystem. Speakers included leaders of ASA working groups and task forces:
- Svatopluk Štolfa (VSB – Technical University of Ostrava) on quality management and the QMBB – Quality Management Bridge Builders China initiative
- Didier Stevens (ACEA and ASA) on industry–VET cooperation and the vision of the Hydrogen VET Forum
- Laura Aschbacher (EuroSPI) on innovation capabilities and ASA’s Innovation Agent Working Group
- Anna Spechtenhauser (Region Stuttgart) on European regional strategies and implementation
- Thomas Geipel (Bosch) on the industrial perspective and the integration and mapping of standards
Speed is the real challenge
The panel discussion focused on how Europe can respond more effectively to changing skills needs. Participants pointed to growing demand for competences in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics and alternative powertrains. They agreed that the main challenge is not identifying these needs but the speed at which they are translated into education and training.
The panel named three essentials for closing that gap: shared responsibility among all stakeholders, practical leadership, and sustained investment in education.
More about the conference: conference.eurospi.net