Since 2020, the ETF has conducted multiple studies (‘Future of Skills’ studies) to examine how various drivers of change – both technological and non-technological – are affecting occupations and related skill needs in selected sectors and countries, and how education and training systems are adapting to these evolving needs. This has led to identifying (emerging) future skill needs in the chosen sectors, through a combination of traditional research methods and innovative Big Data mining.

The methodology is a step forward in the use and analysis of data and fills an important knowledge gap by complementing traditional empirical methods of research. The sectors that were analysed include agri-tech in Israel, automotive in Türkiye, agri-food in Morocco, energy in Albania, Tunisia and Egypt, healthcare in Ukraine, construction in Armenia and platform work in the Eastern Partnership countries, the Western Balkans, the South Mediterranean and Central Asia. The studies on the future of skills in different economic sectors focus on the evolving skills needs and occupations driven predominantly by technological innovations but with a keen eye on nontechnological developments.