Continuous vocational training in response to the challenge of industry 4.0: Required skills and business results

• Published in: Journal of industrial engineering and management 2023-01, Vol.16 (2), p.319-341
• Main Authors: Aranda, Jose Ramon, Campos, Irene, Cosculluela, Carolina, San Martin, Jose, De Pablos, Carmen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Big Data; Cybersecurity; Delphi method; Digital technology; Digitization; Industrial applications; Industry 4.0; Intelligent systems; Internet of Things; Robotics; Skills; Sustainable development; technical skills, continuous training, digitalization, industry 4.0, firm performance; Training; Vocational education
• ISSN: 2013-8423; 2013-0953
• DOI: 10.3926/jiem.4665

Purpose: To identify the technical skills which, linked to digitalization processes, are required to achieve different types of business results. Design/methodology/approach: The Delphi method was applied, through the opinions of a group of Spanish experts, to identify the importance of certain skills for the advancement of digitalization and the implementation of Industry 4.0. Findings: The results show that: 1) skills in Robotics, the Internet of Things, Networks and Artificial Intelligence are necessary to achieve results in the management of company technical areas; 2) commercial management needs skills in Intelligent Systems, Big Data, Cybersecurity, Distributed Technology and Contents; and 3) for the business challenges of sustainable development, the environment and energy efficiency, the most needed skills are in Big Data, Intelligent Systems and Artificial Intelligence.Originality/value: The results are useful, firstly, in providing firms with a training and selection tool for the development of I4.0 and, secondly, in offering training centers criteria for drawing up their training programs.