Stuttgart (dpa/lsw) - According to a study, industry in the southwest will need more employees with future skills in the coming years. Knowledge in the areas of IT system security, artificial intelligence (AI) and emission-free production are particularly relevant, according to the study, which was presented in Stuttgart. The skills demanded by companies in these areas will therefore increase significantly by 2030.

The study was commissioned by Agentur Q, the joint qualification institution of IG Metall and the employers' association Südwestmetall. Among other things, almost one million online job advertisements were analyzed and companies were surveyed.

The study reportedly examined the demand for future skills in the automotive and supplier industry, in mechanical engineering and in the metal and electrical industry. In addition to the high demand for technological and digital skills, the need for skills to secure central business processes is also growing. These include leadership skills, among others.

Study to help with further training

The study is also intended to facilitate the tailored further training of employees. The district manager of the IG Metall trade union, Barbara Resch, said: "The Future Skills study gives us an orientation as to which skills companies and employees will need in the future. It is an important impulse from which suitable further training offers can be derived in good time.

According to Südwestmetall Managing Director Oliver Barta, the results provide the basis for a future-oriented training strategy: "With the knowledge gained from the study, companies can now invest specifically in the development of future skills relevant to them and ensure that they are equipped for future challenges. "