The Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-Based Industries (Ceemet) and industriAll Europe met in Gothenburg, Sweden, for a regional workshop under TRIREME (‘Digital & Green Skills Towards Future of the Mobility Ecosystem’), an Erasmus+ project in which the two social partners lead the work on the social impact of the transformation in the automotive sector. The workshop is one of a series of regional exchanges that look at how industrial transformation is unfolding on the ground and how social dialogue can help shape the future of European industry.
The Swedish social partners Technology Industries of Sweden, IF Metall and Unionen welcomed participants to Gothenburg, a city with a long industrial tradition and a key role in Sweden’s automotive sector. Volvo Cars and Volvo Trucks are central players in the region’s industrial ecosystem.
Discussions focused on the deep transformation facing Europe’s automotive industries, driven by the green transition and the shift to electric vehicles. Participants stressed that Europe’s automotive industry must keep its industrial capacity, expertise and skilled workforce throughout the transition.
The central message was clear: industrial transformation cannot succeed without robust social dialogue. It also needs a workforce with the right skills, effective anticipation of change and investment in training. Social partners have a crucial role in making sure that no one is left behind.
A key aim of the workshop was to identify common criteria and approaches that help social partners respond to the challenges of industrial transformation. By sharing experiences across regions and countries, the project seeks effective ways to anticipate change, support workers through transitions and strengthen Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
The discussions and outcomes of the regional workshops will feed into joint policy recommendations, with the aim of strengthening social dialogue and putting workers’ interests at the heart of Europe’s industrial transformation.
Commenting on the workshop, industriAll Europe Deputy General Secretary Isabelle Barthès said:
“Social dialogue between employers and trade unions matters more than ever, and TRIREME shows why. Together, we are responsible for managing this transformation in a way that keeps industrial capacity in Europe, supports workers and creates lasting jobs. Competitiveness and quality jobs must go hand in hand.”
Ceemet Director General Delphine Rudelli said:
“It is crucial that social partners come together to find the right solutions to anticipate change and evolving skills needs, to upskill and reskill the workforce, and to promote strong social dialogue that accompanies industrial transformation. Today’s workshop showed many inspiring examples of constructive cooperation between workers and employers, supporting companies and their workforce through profound change.”
Notes
1. TRIREME project page on industriAll Europe’s website
2. TRIREME desk research report
3. TRIREME project website