28. November 2022 in Brussels
On the 28th of November 2022, a co-creation roundtable took place in Brussels to identify challenges and opportunities for transforming the mobility ecosystem. This event was focused on the role of regions as catalysts of the green and digital transformation, the social dimension and tools to accelerate the twin transitions.
Representatives of the DG GROW of the European Commission, IndustriALL, Ceemet, Automotive Regions Alliance, CoRAI, several automotive regions and other interested partners were exchanging ideas and recommendations on the up- and reskilling of the workforce, the need for assistance to SMEs in the transition, data sharing, joint research activities and the building of infrastructure for future mobility. Among other topics discussed were job losses, the necessary retraining of workers and early identification of the needed skills, job profiles, as well as new and current aging workers. Participants agreed that at the local and the regional level, a local perspective is needed to cope with differences – geographical, time, skill level and occupational attractiveness differences.
For instance, in Lombardy Region, 30 thousand jobs are at stake in the automotive industry and its supply chain alone. “The automotive-mobility and transport industry should be prepared for decarbonization. We should aim at the full technology neutrality taking into account benefits of all alternative technological solutions such as hydrogen, or alternative fuels” said Folco Ciulli, Green Deal and Economy Advisor of the Lombardy Region, Italy.
The discussion was the next step following the stakeholders´ consultation launched back in May 2022, when DG GROW published the Staff Working Document on Transition Scenarios. On behalf of the ASA, several regions and also the ASA as such joined the consultation voicing the importance of the up- and reskilling actions for the successful transformation of the automotive-mobility ecosystem, but also the role of regions in the process of assessment of consequences of the transformation in European regions.
The Automotive Skills Alliance in close cooperation of all partners will continue its work on bringing together projects, activities and resources necessary for the smooth green and digital transitions, in terms of qualified workforce for the automotive-mobility ecosystem.