As Europe navigates rapid tech­no­lo­gi­cal change and global com­pe­ti­ti­on, this con­fe­rence explores how skills and workplace learning can drive both pro­duc­ti­vi­ty and job quality. It brings together experts, poli­cy­ma­kers and prac­ti­tio­ners to discuss how investing in people’s skills can streng­then Europe’s com­pe­ti­ti­ve­ness. The event is part of the European VET and Skills Week.

Participants will discuss how companies and insti­tu­ti­ons can translate invest­ment in skills and workplace learning into higher pro­duc­ti­vi­ty and better job quality. The con­fe­rence will also address the impact of emerging tech­no­lo­gies, including arti­fi­ci­al intel­li­gence, on jobs and organisations.

Participants will engage in keynote speeches, panel dis­cus­sions and inter­ac­ti­ve sessions. These will explore how skills deve­lo­p­ment and workplace learning link to tech­no­lo­gi­cal change and pro­duc­ti­vi­ty, including tran­si­ti­on towards Industry 5.0 and the role of workplace learning cultures.

Sessions will address topics such as ups­kil­ling in EU work­places, future skills needs, and the impact of auto­ma­ti­on and digital tech­no­lo­gies on jobs. Group dis­cus­sions will look at lea­der­ship, orga­ni­sa­tio­nal support for learning, and how job tasks evolve with digitalisation.

The programme includes exchanges with social partners, govern­ment repre­sen­ta­ti­ves and experts. It encou­ra­ges dialogue and the sharing of practices across sectors and countries.

Insights will draw on findings from Cedefop’s European Training and Learning survey (ETLS). Which provides unique insights into the drivers and con­tex­tu­al factors affecting workplace learning among EU citizens.

The con­fe­rence will con­tri­bu­te to iden­ti­fy­ing practical approa­ches and policy prio­ri­ties to help orga­ni­sa­ti­ons adopt human-centred approa­ches to tech­no­lo­gi­cal innovation.