Building Skills for a Competitive Automotive Europe
From October 13–15, the European Week of Regions and Cities 2025 once again brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and regional actors to explore how collaboration drives Europe’s transformation. The Automotive Skills Alliance (ASA) proudly took part, with its President Jakub Stolfa joining the panel “Automotive Skills Transformation and European Competitiveness Strategy.”
Co-organized with the Automotive Regions Alliance (ARA) and CoRAI, the session explored how collaboration and skills development can help Europe’s automotive regions remain competitive amid rapid change.
During the speeches, ASA reiterated the main pillars that European stakeholders, at all levels, need to focus on during the current quick digital and green transition.
Skills at the Heart of Transformation
“The technological transformation is here — and it’s accelerating,” said Jakub Stolfa. “Digitalization affects everything — products, processes, and people. To stay competitive, Europe must build the right skills foundation.” It has been emphasized that electrification and automation are reshaping the workforce, requiring new competences in STEM and digital fields, but also strong soft skills like adaptability and teamwork. “We can’t rely on buying skills — we must build them in our regions, through robust education and training systems,” Stolfa added.
Collaboration is Europe’s Advantage
ASA President underlined that success depends on collaboration at all levels — European, national, and regional — between industry, education providers, policymakers, and social partners.
Projects such as TRIREME and the European Chips Skills Academy show how this cooperation can close skills gaps and align training with the needs of emerging technologies. “We are all in this together,” he said. “Collaboration is the key to staying competitive.”
From Strategy to Action
While European frameworks like the Union of Skills provide direction, Stolfa urged faster, more pragmatic implementation: “Time is running. We need to deliver concrete solutions for companies and education systems now — not in 2027. Skills are the oil in the wheel, the electricity in the electric engine.”
Key Priorities Emerging from #EURegionsWeek
Foundation First – Invest in long-term, future-oriented education and training.
Bridging the Gap – Combine STEM excellence with soft skills.
Stronger Together – Collaborate across all levels and regions.
Implementation Matters – Move from strategy to action, now.
As the 2025 edition concluded, ASA reaffirmed its mission: to empower Europe’s automotive workforce for the twin green and digital transitions — ensuring that competitiveness and collaboration continue to drive the continent’s industrial and skills strength.
