Meeting the demands of tomorrow’s industries: Insights from the Future Skills Focus webinar

1. Building an adaptive skills system through workforce foresighting

Denise Moon from the Workforce Foresighting Hub presented the Hub’s approach to identifying the capabilities required to support the adoption of emerging technologies. Since its launch in 2021, the Hub has led over 30 foresighting cycles in collaboration with employers, technologists, and educators, resulting in detailed occupational profiles and competency frame works. Highlights included:

• use of the ‘Data Cube’ system to integrate global datasets and expert insights
• recent cycles addressing sectors like biopharmaceuticals and offshore renewables, leading to curriculum updates and CPD offerings
• a strong call for educators and employers to engage early in foresighting cycles to reduce the lag between skills demand and delivery

2. Collaboration for electrification kills development

Paul Whiteside from the Electrification Skills Network (ESN) outlined how their work, funded by the Faraday Battery Challenge, is aligning electrification training needs with practical delivery mechanisms. ESN serves as a neutral body connecting skills providers, awarding bodies, and industry. Key initiatives:

• a new online framework mapping “common sets of skills” to qualifications and CPD
• monthly skills provider networks and national forums to encourage collaboration and resource sharing
• support for faster qualification development and simplified employer engagement through modular, stackable learning units

3. From insight to action: Translating foresighting into real-world outcomes

Speakers agreed on the need for actionable data and accessible tools to empower educators and training providers. Jonathan Mitchell from IfATE and Dina from Skills Miner reinforced the importance of translating strategic importance of translating strategic insight into tangible learning outcomes for young people and adults alike. The webinar also showcased:

• the Skills Compass initiative linking foresighting outputs to future technical qualifications
• the role of gamified platforms like Skills Miner in engaging underrepresented groups in STEM pathways

Next steps: turning insights into action

From the discussion, several priority actions emerged.

• Strengthen collaboration between employers, education providers, and government to co-design and deliver relevant skills programmes.
• Increase awareness of future skills data among providers to inform curriculum development and funding strategies.
• Support CPD and modular learning to ensure agility in responding to fast-evolving sectors like electrification and biotech.
• Encourage more participation in foresighting cycles to ensure the ecosystem remains inclusive and aligned to real-world challenges.

Conclusion

This webinar underlined that solving the UK’s future skills challenge will depend on agile, joined-up thinking across the innovation economy – and a shared commitment to equipping the workforce for what’s next.

Webinar recording

Watch the full Talent & Skills Connect: Future Skills Focus webinar recording.