EU launches project to address skills gap in automotive industry

Ostrava, Czech Republic – A group of 24 partners from 11 European countries have launched an EU project to address skills gap in the automotive industry dubbed DRIVES – development and research on innovative vocational education skills.

The project is part of the European “blueprint for sectoral cooperation on skills” for the automotive sector, addressing the development schemes for new skills within the industry.

Funded by the EU,  it aims to deliver human capital solutions to the automotive supply chain.

In a 5 March statement, the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) announced that it, along with 24 project partners, took part in a conference on the subject held 1-2 March in Ostrava.

In its statement ETRMA pointed to “massive transformation” within the tire & rubber sector, as well as the entire automotive value chain.

The changes, said ETRMA, include a shift of business model towards mobility as a service, as well as other drivers such as connected and automated driving, advanced materials and decarbonisation of transport.

“The European Skills Council for the Automotive Industry had already identified skills gaps as our workforce is aging and is in need both of upskilling and to attract new talents,” the statement noted.

Also commenting on the project, ETRMA secretary general Fazilet Cinaralp said that access to the right skills was needed the tire & rubber industry in order to continue being an enabler of innovation throughout the automotive value chain.