Adecco group and ACEA join forces to tackle auto skill transformation

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and the Adecco Group have announced a unique partnership to address pressing skill demands and challenges faced in the industry. Building a robust and adaptive automotive workforce in light of the sector’s green and digital transformation is a strategic priority for the industry and its value chain.

This partnership will be kicked off with a comprehensive EU Automotive Skills Gap Analysis scheduled to be delivered mid-2025. This study will evaluate the current and future skill needs within the industry, providing valuable insights into talent demand and capability gaps. Following the conclusions and recommendations of this report, dedicated High-level Regional Fora will be established to develop tailored solutions for workforce reform and upgrades across various regions.

A key component of this initiative is the development of a comprehensive Automotive Skills Implementation Blueprint, which will serve as a guiding agenda for the automotive industry at a regional level. This Blueprint will outline actionable pathways for workforce transformation, enabling collaboration among regional stakeholders, and educational institutions.

“With around 13 million people employed across the European automotive value chain, it is essential to equip its workforce,” said Denis Machuel, CEO of The Adecco Group.

“Our collaboration with ACEA seeks to address the skills transformation necessary for sustaining competitive advantages in this rapidly evolving market.”

This initiative comes in the wake of drastic demographic and technological shifts within the European automotive sector, which have intensified the urgency for training and adaptation strategies. As such, the project directly supports the EU’s Automotive Action Plan and Union of Skills, launched early March. By working closely with public and private stakeholders, ACEA and The Adecco Group will ensure that the transitioning workforce is equipped to thrive amidst industry disruptions.

“It’s five minutes to midnight for the automotive industry, and the industry’s workforces must adapt rapidly to succeed in a fiercely competitive global market,” added Sigrid de Vries, ACEA Director General.

“This partnership with the Adecco Group is about transforming challenges into practical solutions that empower our regional stakeholders and ensures a prosperous future for the automotive workforce.”

This initiative follows ACEA active engagement in a number of Erasmus+ projects such as TRIREME (Trireme), ChemSkills (ChemSkills Project) or Flamenco (FLAMENCO).