Skills for the twin transition in manufacturing: A systematic literature review

The twin transition is drawing the attention not only in the manufacturing sector but also in supply chains, ecosystems, and society (involving different stakeholders such as managers, scholars and policymakers) as digital technologies have been proven to promote circular economy (CE) strategies. Circular and digital transformations require a paradigm shift, which depends on professional skills that translate emerging challenges into economic, social, and environmental advantages. However, prior research has offered limited contributions to skills and competences needed for enabling CE transition considering the parallel digital transformation of sociotechnical systems. To address this gap, this study relies on a systematic literature review to clarify which professional skills are fundamental for a successful twin transition in the manufacturing sector. As a result, 40 skills have been identified, categorized into three dimensions: (1) Resilience skills, (2) Digital technologies skills, and (3) Specialized/Technical skills. The findings reveal the multidisciplinary nature of the skills, which should be combined to reach circularity goals. Overall, this study enhances the understanding of critical skills, enabling academics and training providers to better structure courses and curricula that meet current market requirements. It also gives managers greater clarity about the skills that require more attention and need to be deepened through further education and training sessions within the organizational context.