Skills Report: Which skills are lacking in three key sectors of the bioeconomy?
From skills gaps to skills development: A one-pager report from the TransBIB skills and training needs analysis shows which skills specialists and managers in the automotive, plastics and lightweight construction/construction sectors need for the bioeconomic transformation – and which learning formats are effective.
The bioeconomy is fundamentally transforming industry and value creation. However, the bottleneck lies less often in basic technical knowledge than in people and their skills. A survey of specialists and managers in three key sectors shows that ‘future skills’ are consistently rated as highly important. In the automotive industry, gaps in key digital and technological skills are cited in particular, whilst traditional management is already considered to be well developed. The plastics industry needs, above all, agile leadership, persuasive communication and a shift in mindset that views the bioeconomy as a strategic priority rather than merely a cost issue. In lightweight construction and the building sector, the focus is on transformative skills, leadership as coaching and stakeholder communication. In this sector, the existing commitment to digitalisation provides a good starting point. What all three sectors have in common is that short, practical and increasingly hybrid formats are most effective. The one-pager (available for download here) summarises the findings and recommends a lean, modular and certificate-based pilot approach.
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In addition to the cross-sector one-pager, detailed reports are available for the automotive industry, the plastics industry, lightweight construction and the construction sector.
Skills requirements in the plastics industry: findings from a survey and interviews
The bioeconomy is fundamentally transforming the plastics industry – but what skills are needed to successfully shape this transformation? Our latest quantitative survey and supplementary qualitative study highlight that the successful implementation of bioeconomy innovations in the plastics industry requires not only specialist knowledge, but above all strategic leadership skills, a shift in mindset, targeted, practical training programmes and a willingness to invest in change. Download report
Skills requirements in the construction and lightweight construction industries: findings from a survey and interviews
The bioeconomy opens up new opportunities for the construction and lightweight construction industries in terms of sustainable materials, resource-efficient processes and future-proof value chains. But what skills are needed to successfully drive this transformation forward? Our quantitative survey and supplementary qualitative interview study show that the successful implementation of bioeconomy innovations goes far beyond technical expertise. In addition to knowledge of sustainable materials, regulatory frameworks and digital technologies such as AI or BIM, strategic leadership skills, the ability to adapt to change, interdisciplinary collaboration and a forward-looking mindset are particularly in demand. The findings highlight that integrating the bioeconomy into corporate strategies requires, above all, social and transformational skills, greater digitalisation, and practical training programmes that specifically support managers in shaping and implementing sustainable transformation processes. Download report
Skills requirements in the automotive industry: findings from a survey and interviews
The transition to a bioeconomy presents the automotive industry with new technological and organisational challenges. Where are the greatest skills needs in order to successfully steer the automotive industry towards a bioeconomic future? Our study highlights a significant future need for skills, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, the circular economy, digital traceability and bio-based technologies. Whilst traditional leadership and management skills are already well established, skills gaps have been identified in digital, technological and sustainability-related areas. The results illustrate that the successful implementation of bioeconomic innovations requires, above all, a combination of digital expertise, systems thinking and strategic transformation skills. Download report