News

Skills (R)Evolution Conference Highlights the Urgency of Skills Transformation Across Europe

On 20–21 April 2026, the “Skills (R)Evolution in the Automotive-Mobility Ecosystem & Beyond” conference took place in Cluj-Napoca, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, education providers and European initiatives to address one of the most pressing challenges for Europe’s competitiveness: skills.

Organised within the framework of the Automotive Skills Alliance, the event provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration across sectors, with strong contributions from the TRIREME project.

 

From innovation ecosystems to hands-on demonstrations

The conference opened with a welcome reception and a technical visit hosted by the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, where participants explored advanced testing facilities, including hydrogen-to-wheel systems and electric drivetrain validation environments. The visit also showcased student-led innovation through the Formula Student team, highlighting the importance of experiential learning.

 

Skills at the core of Europe’s competitiveness

The main conference day gathered high-level speakers from European institutions, industry and academia. Opening remarks emphasised the need for stronger collaboration to address emerging skills needs driven by digitalisation, automation and the green transition.

A high-level fireside chat featuring Victor Negrescu and Adrian Sandu underlined a key message: while long-term strategies are essential, industry requires immediate, flexible solutions. Faster recognition of skills and qualifications, closer links between education and business, and more responsive training systems were identified as critical priorities.

Across panel discussions, participants consistently pointed to growing skills gaps and workforce shortages. Industry representatives stressed that technological change is outpacing the speed of education and training systems, calling for stronger alignment between European, national and regional efforts. The importance of blended learning approaches and cooperation between companies, education providers and policymakers emerged as a recurring theme.

 

TRIREME in focus: advancing skills for the automotive ecosystem

A dedicated session highlighted the contribution of TRIREME to skills transformation in the automotive-mobility sector. Project partners presented key results, including:

• insights from industry research identifying critical skills gaps in software, electrification and cybersecurity
• competence matrices and modular training approaches to better define emerging job roles
• the development of the Skills Hub platform, supporting micro-credentials and flexible learning pathways
• progress towards a sectoral skills strategy for the automotive-mobility ecosystem

These results demonstrated how TRIREME is translating industry needs into concrete training solutions and supporting the development of a more responsive, future-ready workforce.

 

From strategy to implementation: collaboration across sectors

The conference also featured discussions on other Blueprint projects, including the semiconductors sector, highlighting common challenges such as workforce shortages and the need for specialised skills.

Sessions on implementation and impact focused on how project results are being scaled across Europe, reinforcing the importance of coordinated action and cross-sector collaboration.

At regional level, practical examples from Romania illustrated how innovation ecosystems are already taking shape. Initiatives in areas such as semiconductors, electric mobility and energy clusters demonstrated how collaboration between academia, industry and public authorities can translate into tangible outcomes.

 

Showcasing innovation in practice

The event concluded with a networking dinner and prototype showcase, offering participants a hands-on perspective on innovation in the region. Demonstrations included solar-powered vehicles, electric mobility prototypes and high-performance student-built cars, highlighting how skills development, education and industry collaboration come together in real-world applications.

 

A shared direction for Europe

The “Skills (R)Evolution” conference clearly reinforced a common message: skills are no longer a future challenge, but a present necessity. Addressing this challenge requires faster, more coordinated action and stronger collaboration across sectors.

Through its active participation, TRIREME continues to contribute to shaping a more resilient, skilled and competitive European automotive-mobility ecosystem.