Launch of the pilot project Luxembourg Digital Skills Bridge – Fir d’Kompetenzen vu muer!

A programme investing in the skills of employees and securing their career paths

Companies interested in participating in the Luxembourg Digital Skills Bridge pilot project will find all relevant information on the programme as well as an application file to download on the initiative's website: www.skillsbridge.lu (deadline: 25.05.2018).

The current digital and technological transformation of the market affects all companies and trades, with varying degrees of impact: this may be through the automation of production lines in industry, the introduction of blockchain technologies for the management of fund transfers in the banking sector, or the bank of detail… - examples are numerous. The organisation of work is being partially, moderately or completely modified.

Investing in the skills and jobs of tomorrow

Today, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and the social and solidarity economy launched the Luxembourg Digital Skills Bridge programme, a pilot project aimed at employees whose positions are changing or at risk due to the digital transformation. Luxembourg Digital Skills Bridge strives to anticipate the impact technological developments will have on the skills of employees and employment in general. The programme offers employees the opportunity to invest in new business, digital and cross-functional skills thanks to trainings of the newest generation. Specialised advisors will accompany them throughout the process. This preventive and pro-active approach anticipates the changes introduced by the digital transformation and allows both companies and employees to adapt to this new environment. Trainings offered by the professional chambers in the identified areas may well contribute to the pilot.

"This pilot project will be put in place in close collaboration with the ADEM. It perfectly fits with the various initiatives launched in terms of training for job seekers. The novelty here is that we fight against unemployment in a preventive way, allowing employees acquiring the competences they need to respond to the transformation of the labor market", said Nicolas Schmit.

A programme open to all companies

The pilot project exists within the current legislative framework and is open to all companies, regardless of their sector of activity or their size. Small and medium-sized enterprises will benefit from the same tools and methodologies as large companies, adapted to their needs – which will facilitate their transformation.

The development of skills stands at the very heart of the digital revolution. Every employee will to be able to access this potential with the objective of securing jobs and future career paths.

Multiple benefits for all actors involved

Luxembourg Digital Skills Bridge represents a major innovation in qualifying and certifying continuing education.

The employee benefits from a skills assessment. An individual advisor supports him/her throughout the process, from the identification of a new position, to undergoing an accelerated, tailor-made, highly pragmatic and certifying training programme, until integration into the new function. The employees’ career path will be secured, whether he/she remains in the current company or starts a new position at a different company. The mechanisms provided for by the Social Dialogue Act and the Retention Plan will apply and thus ensure the involvement of employees and social partners in the implementation of the upskilling process.

By meeting the specific needs of each company and developing specialised training courses, Luxembourg Digital Skills Bridge will allow companies to dispose of the skills they require (at least partially) among their own employees. Furthermore, each company will benefit from a technical assistance to plan its future jobs and skills management.

Francine Closener, Secretary of State of the Economy, further explained: “The Luxembourg Digital Skills Bridge will reinforce the social dimension of the digitalisation of our economy and complements our efforts and programmes aimed at accompanying companies in their digital transition.”

How to participate?

The pilot project is taking place in 2018 and will be divided into several phases: by summer companies will be able, if eligible, to develop and have their skills development plan approved. After the summer, the employees’ trainings will begin.

Companies interested in participating in the Luxembourg Digital Skills Bridge pilot project will find all relevant information on the programme as well as an application file to download on the initiative's website: www.skillsbridge.lu The deadline for submission is 25 May 2018 at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and the and the social and solidarity economy.

Press release by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy / Ministry of the Economy