Introduction

Digitalisation and the World of Work

We are in the midst of a dynamic process requiring all partners to get involved, experiment and try new pathways.
If properly dealt with, a good digital skills set can narrow the social inequality gap.

What has happened since 2016

In 2016 Ceemet published its first “Digitalisation and the World of Work” report. The aim was to create a starting point for debate. This to provide necessary and compelling industry evidence of the fundamental changes taking place in work organisation – from skills demand to working time – as a result of digitalisation. We wanted to kick off a discussion that was facts-based and not guided by fears.

The response from both companies and policy-makers has been very positive, with many engaging discussions that have brought important questions about the future of work life in industry to the fore.

The digital transformation is accelerating rapidly. This 2nd edition shares new insights and input, lifting up the important questions and generating solutions. It eventually helps businesses, workers and policymakers boost a human centric digitalisation process in Europe.

Getting on track

Digitalisation is no longer a novel concept. The significant potential it holds for manufacturing companies, individuals and European society as a whole is uncontested.

Digital manufacturing technologies are transforming every link in the manufacturing value chain. Digital connectivity among designers, managers, workers, consumers, and physical industrial assets has the potential to unlock enormous value and change the manufacturing landscape forever. It opens up opportunities for enhancements in a number of key areas, such as increased competitiveness, better operational efficiency and safety, enhanced productivity performance, and the analytic use of intelligent plant data to inform strategic decision-making.

This transformation, however, requires strong investment – in infrastructure, new technologies and humans.

The lack of relevant investments is putting competitiveness and, consequently, Europe’s high social standards at risk. Several of the global economic regions (and their manufacturers) that Europe competes against have embraced the digital agenda. It is time for the EU and its Member States to act.

Areas with looming issues

We dig deeper in the areas that define the way we carry out work and that are up for change coming from digitalisation.

These are:

– Skills & Education
– Work organisation
– Occupational Safety & Health
– Data & the World of Work

This report is a next step in providing input to the debate about digitalisation and the changes it brings to our society and the way we work