Foresight-Driven Innovation and Internationalisation

Blog of CFI-Barcelona – the Centre for Funding & Innovation at La Salle – Ramon Llull University. In this space, we showcase our forward-thinking approach to transforming research into actionable solutions.

22 April 2025 | Posted by laura.br

Bridging education and industry: preparing the workforce for the deep tech era

Ready: What are the critical issues?

As Europe navigates rapid technological advancements, the gap between education and industry continues to grow. Higher education (HE) and vocational education and training (VET) institutions often struggle to keep pace with evolving industry demands, leading to mismatches in workforce skills. Emerging fields like AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, and sustainable industrial practices require new approaches to training, yet traditional curricula are slow to adapt. Without stronger industry-academia collaboration, future talent may lack the hands-on experience and foresight-driven skills necessary to thrive in digital and green economies.

Steady: What are the options ahead?

To modernize education and workforce development, institutions and industry must work together to:

  • Embed deep tech skills into HE and VET curricula – Ensuring students are trained in AI, IoT, blockchain, cybersecurity, and sustainability-driven innovation./li>
  • Strengthen industry-academia collaboration – Leveraging innovation hubs, tech incubators, and business accelerators to provide real-world learning experiences.
  • Introduce strategic foresight into skills planning – Using AI-driven intelligence to anticipate workforce trends and prepare students for future job markets.
  • Cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets – Encouraging startups, challenge-based learning, and sustainability-focused business models.
  • Ensure long-term impact through Centres for Foresight and Innovation (CFIs) – Institutionalizing workforce planning, innovation, and policy engagement within education systems.

By integrating these strategies, education providers can equip learners with future-proof skills while businesses gain access to talent ready to drive digital transformation.

Go: How can La Salle-URL contribute?

Forward-thinking institutions and industry leaders are already implementing transformative solutions, including:

  • Co-creation labs where students collaborate with industry partners on deep tech projects.
  • Hybrid work placements and challenge-based learning programs that bridge classroom knowledge with real-world application.
  • AI-powered skills intelligence platforms that track emerging job market needs and guide curriculum development.
  • Micro-credentialing and certification mechanisms ensuring industry-recognized validation of new skills.
  • Foresight-driven workforce planning models that align education with long-term economic and technological trends.

For insights into how industry-academia collaboration and foresight-driven education are transforming skills development, connect with experts leading the way in deep tech and sustainable innovation.

Want to learn more?

For deeper insights into cutting-edge urban sustainability strategies and citizen-led pollution reduction initiatives, reach out to our research and policy experts.

Share