Partnerships for effective training to work transitions: a case study of the Skillman Alliance

Europe hosts a significant number of global organizations in the transport market, the largest industrial R&D investor in the EU. The market contains a significant number of jobs, and thus, there is a need for learning solutions in its domain. One of the pillars for its expansion is advanced manufacturing technology. The EU Commission considers the implementation and development of this as one of its trans-sectoral ‘key enabling technologies’. This article presents a non-government ‘Sector Skills Alliance’—Skillman—that addresses advanced manufacturing technology skill needs for the automotive, aerospace and train industries. Funded by the EU, Skillman connects companies and organizations in terms of scope of action, size, field of expertise and legal framework including, in particular, industry leaders, research centres, accreditation bodies and TVET providers. Jaguar Land Rover, FIAT-FCA and SAS, Scandinavian Airlines Systems are just some of the organizations that worked together to find solutions to skills mismatches and challenges the sector faces finding the right skills. This article analyses challenges associated with skills mismatch and solutions proposed by Skillman to help transitions to work after training. The article clarifies the processes behind the Alliance creation (starting from the EU Copenhagen Declaration), the aims and nature of the Alliance, the strategic tools implemented by Skillman, as well as its challenges and first results. The article also argues that the Skillman Alliance has the right characteristics to meet skills requirements and can be used as a model approach for easing the transition from training to work.