Skills assessment for the twin transition in a manufacturing company: An applicative case

Manufacturers are increasingly asked to adapt to and contextually leverage new pervasive trends, such as digitalization and sustainability. The diffusion of digital technologies enables opportunities for innovation and can support manufacturers in achieving sustainability through the optimization of products and processes and data-driven decision-making. The twofold transition of sustainability and digitalization is known as the Twin Transition. This transition presents many challenges, and dedicated tools and methodologies are still scarce in the literature. Particularly, the transition towards digitalization and sustainability requires new and enforced competences in the manufacturing sector. To address this research gap, we propose the application of an assessment tool, adapted by the DREAMY4Skills methodology, in an Italian Fashion company. The research required the involvement of the company in the refinement and adaptation of the model and the development of a dedicated questionnaire to be submitted to the company employees. The application involved a survey mirroring the questionnaire’s structure and received 31 responses. Based on the collected data, it was possible to identify the as-is status of the company across 4 skill dimensions (Soft skills, ICT skills, Core Knowledge, and Hard Skills) instrumental to the company’s twin transition. Thereafter, knowledge gaps and possible formative paths were identified. This work contributes to the existing literature on skills assessment for digital and sustainable manufacturing, proposing an applicative case, highlighting collaborative opportunities to enhance critical skills.