The role of engineers in reindustrialising Europe (own-initiative opinion)

There is an urgent need to reindustrialise Europe. In order to achieve this the engineering and technical professions should be focused. These professions are indispensable in developing innovative production methods and products. However, without appropriate human resources and their potential, experience and knowledge, this goal is not to be achieved.

Industry and companies should introduce communication policy to emphasise the attractiveness of the industrial sector; the crucial role belongs to industry associations. Better dialogue between companies and organisations in charge of vocational training might be an important step in facing the employment creation issue. What is more it could reduce differences between demand and supply.

The core of engineering skills in Europe is found in the engineering industry, which consists of some 130 000 companies employing more than 10 million people with high qualification and skill levels, generating an annual output of around EUR 1 840 bn and one third of all EU exports , . Moreover, engineers and technicians play an important role in all sectors of the economy. European engineering industry plays key role in realising the goal of increasing the industrial production value above 20% GDP by 2020. To achieve this aim, it is necessary to develop a coordinated policy that will be clearly directed at European industrial competitiveness.

Engineering experience and knowledge must be continuously upgraded in order to appropriately meet the challenges of the 4th wave of industrialisation. New forms of learning and training are needed to optimally use the social and human capital of the sector. Also new forms of work should be organised.

This opinion is to motivate the European Commission to put a stronger focus on a coherent application of existing rules among all Member States, harmonising and strengthening the Market Surveillance. These kind of political strategies should focus on global value chain, innovations and development.

Stakeholders must be brought together to promote these professions: business, trade unions and education institutions. A particular role should be given to national and European engineering associations.