European auto industry champions policies for future-proof workforce at skills strategic dialogue
Brussels, 13 February 2025 – Securing quality jobs, delivering on skills and training, and ensuring a thriving, competitive European vehicle industry were all at the top of the agenda at today’s Strategic Dialogue meeting.
The people that build and innovate our vehicles have always been key to the global success of our industry. At today’s Strategic Dialogue Technical Working Group led by Commissioner Minzatu we addressed the importance of the substantial skills transition our industry is undergoing as we shift towards zero-emission technology.
“The European automotive industry does not exist in a vacuum and is part of a complex societal construction employing more than 13 million Europeans across the value chain,” stated Sigrid de Vries, Director General of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). “We have a responsibility to ensure that the ‘skills and social’ pillar is at the forefront of the Strategic Dialogue Action Plan to sufficiently equip workforces for the zero-emissions transition and make Europe an attractive location for global talent.”
That’s why at today’s Working Group, we called for:
- establishing an Automotive-Mobility Ecosystem Academy;
- enhancing EU-wide best practice sharing to boost labour transformations;
- conducting regional labour force analysis of the automotive value chain;
- promoting micro-credentials and learning systems;
- developing a robust sectoral skills intelligence system;
- reforming EU state aid rules and funding programs;
- integrating skills and training into relevant EU research programmes, such as Horizon Europe; and
- facilitating EU funding for apprenticeships and education programmes that focus on zero-emission technologies.
Securing quality jobs, delivering on skills and training, and ensuring a thriving, competitive European vehicle industry were all at the top of the agenda at today’s Strategic Dialogue meeting.
About ACEA
- The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 16 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Stellantis, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
- Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on https://www.x.com/ACEA_auto or http://www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/
Contact:
- Ben Kennard, Head of Communications, bk@acea.auto, +32 (0) 2 738 73 17
- Julien Hoez, Media Relations Manager, jh@acea.auto, +32 (0) 2 738 73 45
About the EU automobile industry
- 13.2 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
- 10.3% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
- €383.7 billion in tax revenue for European governments
- €106.7 billion trade surplus for the European Union
- Over 7.5% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
- €72.8 billion in R&D spending annually, 33% of EU total
