The project brings together a broad consortium of partners, including industry leaders, SMEs, universities, vocational education and training (VET) providers, clusters and social partners. All of whom are members of the Pact for Skills initiative, with a shared commitment to strengthening Europe’s workforce in strategically important industries.

Speaking at the kick off conference, Isabelle Barthès deputy general secretary of industriAll Europe emphasised "Aerospace and defence play a central role in Europe’s security, technological sovereignty, and industrial resilience, while providing high-quality employment to hundreds of thousands of workers"

However, these sectors are facing persistent challenges in anticipating skills needs and in attracting, training and retaining workers particularly for emerging and highly specialised technical roles.

"Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure a fair, inclusive and sustainable industrial future" added Isabelle Barthès.

Over the next two years, Skills4ADC+ will support the development of forward-looking, inclusive and cross-sectoral upskilling and reskilling strategies. The project places strong emphasis on quality training, access to lifelong learning, and the protection of workers’ rights. It also underlines that effective skills policies can only be achieved through the active involvement of workers and their representatives.

IndustriAll Europe will play an active role in the project, ensuring that skills development efforts in aerospace and defence are firmly anchored in social dialogue. "We will work to ensure that these initiatives contribute to secure, quality jobs and support workers employability throughout industrial and technological transformation" said Isabelle Barthès.

Through Skills4ADC+, industriAll Europe reaffirms its commitment to shaping a just transition that leaves no worker behind.