Workforce Foresighting

How do we build a skilled workforce for tomorrow's industries? The Workforce Foresighting Hub has developed a structured process, aligned with national policy, to help deliver a workforce to exploit innovative technologies in the UK. We’re supporting industry, policymakers and educators to adapt to continuing change.

Addressing the skills challenge

The global marketplace is changing at a rapid pace and the continued development of innovative technologies is creating opportunities for growth in all sectors.

Whilst we are well placed to take advantage in the UK, the Government and industry have identified that we need a workforce able to adapt to new capabilities that require different and often higher skill sets.

This is everybody’s challenge. We’re on a mission to help develop the future workforce, prevent a skills shortfall and provide future-thinking organisations with the capabilities to adopt innovation, to enable to UK to build a prosperous economy.

And we want you to help us do it.

Participant onboarding - Workforce Foresighting Hub

Learn more about what's involved in a Workforce Foresighting cycle and how your participation can make a difference.

HOW IT WORKS

The foresighting process

Workforce foresighting is a systemic approach to identifying the organisational capabilities and workforce skills necessary to enable industry to adopt and exploit innovative technologies. Find out more about the six key steps.

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MAKE AN IMPACT

Innovate UK Catapults and Centre of Innovation

The Innovate UK Catapult Network and Centres of Innovation already play a crucial role in shaping future workforce development in line with technology innovation. This makes you the ideal partner to support the development and work of the Workforce Foresighting Hub by convening the experts needed. Find out more about how you can drive impact.

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Workforce Foresighting Cycle Participants

We need individuals with specific areas of expertise to contribute to the foresighting process, with benefits for all stakeholders. How can you get involved?
Technologist and Domain Specialists

Experts from relevant centres of innovation and technology.

Technologist and Domain Specialists

Through online workshops gain the opportunity to network and share ideas with fellow technology experts to help shape the innovation solutions to address national challenges.

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Educators

Experts with experience in curriculum development from education providers.

Educators

Through online workshops help to shape and guide the foresighting cycle, network with other education leaders and play a part in delivering a workforce to meet future demand.

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Industry employers

Industry experts with experience across operations and delivery.

Industry employers

Through online workshops gain the opportunity to network and share ideas with fellow business leaders to help shape the capabilities required to adopt innovative solutions to prepare for future demand.

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Discover the Workforce Foresighting Hub

Aligned with national policy, the Workforce Foresighting Hub is initiated and funded by Innovate UK, built in collaboration with the Innovate UK Catapult Network. We’re bringing together industry, policymakers and educators to help shape the future occupational profiles and educational provision required. Learn more about our work, our approach, our structure and the benefits of getting involved.

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Workforce foresighting reports

Each foresighting cycle culminates in a report, which details future supply chain capabilities, prototype future occupational profiles and recommendations to drive action in that specific field.

Explore reports

Report schedule

To ensure the Workforce Foresighting Hub and its activities align with national strategy and policy, all activities will focus on Innovate UK’s three impact domains, which were identified in its Strategic Delivery Plan 2022-2025. To see which topics, are currently being addressed, view the latest progress report below.
    • Design of 3D primary structural (MTC part of the HVM Catapult) – REPORT DUE
    • Sustainable fuels for aero (Connected Places Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • Gaseous tanks for H2 (NCC part of the HVM Catapult) – REPORT PUBLISHED
    • Autonomous inspection of Offshore (Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult) – REPORT PUBLISHED
    • Smart systems for future homes (Energy Systems Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • Future homes standard (MTC part of the HVM Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • Energy conservation using digital tools (Energy Systems Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • Decarbonising of current homes (Energy Systems Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • Consumer advice for retrofit (Energy Systems Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • HV dynamic cabling (Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult) – REPORT PUBLISHED
    • EV –power electronics, motors, drives (WMG part of the HVM Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • EV –battery manufacture (WMG part of the HVM Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • Advanced shipbuilding techniques (NMIS part of the HVM Catapult) – REPORT PUBLISHED
    • Real-time rendering (Digital Catapult)REPORT PUBLISHED
    • IOSM – Active debris removal (Satellite Applications Catapult)  – REPORT PUBLISHED
    • Next generation 5G Communications (Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • Connected and autonomous vehicles (WMG part of the HVM Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • AI image generation and maintenance (Digital Catapult) – REPORT PUBLISHED
    • Quantum accelerator programme (Digital Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • Continued manufacturing of RNA therapeutics (CPI part of the HVM Catapult) – REPORT PUBLISHED
    • Vertical farming (MTC part of the HVM Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • Validation / release of RNA therapeutics (CPI part of the HVM Catapult) – GET INVOLVED
    • 5GB in Agritech (Digital Catapult) – GET INVOLVED

Related News

Workforce Foresighting Hub podcast series

17/07/2024

Workforce Foresighting Hub podcast series

The Workforce Foresighting Hub Podcast brings together coaches, system developers, participants, and convenors from the Catapult Network to discuss how we can work together to start addressing the skills challenge.

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UKRI invest £8m into the Workforce Foresighting Hub

22/04/2024

UKRI invest £8m into the Workforce Foresighting Hub

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, has announced an £8 million investment into the Workforce Foresighting Hub programme.

Read more
More News

Related Opportunities

AI solutions to develop AI competencies in key sectors

Opens: 04/11/2024   Closes: 29/01/2025

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2m for AI solutions to support AI upskilling in key sectors; construction, transport, creative, and agrifood.

More Information

Innovate UK innovation loans future economy: Round 18

Opens: 31/10/2024   Closes: 08/01/2025

UK registered businesses can apply for loans for innovative projects with strong commercial potential to significantly improve the UK economy.

More Information

Innovate UK Smart grants: November 2024

Opens: 14/11/2024   Closes: 22/01/2025

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £15m for game changing, commercially viable R&D that can significantly impact the UK economy.

More Information

Get involved

Help to build a skilled workforce for tomorrows industries. By adapting to continuing change and enabling adoption of innovative technologies we will realise a prosperous UK industry. How can you get involved?

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