The healthcare sector is at a pivotal moment with the advent of Industry 5.0, which emphasizes human-centric solutions, sustainability, and resilience. This evolution requires a workforce that is not only technically proficient but also adaptable to rapid technological and environmental advancements and newly emerging societal challenges.The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant skills gaps in the field of health manufacturing, underscoring the urgent need for continuous education and development of their workforce.
While other EU-wide initiatives and projects focus exclusively on healthcare professionals — such as doctors and nurses — BRIGHTskills extends its scope to the workers employed in the private health sector. It recognizes that the health industry comprises a diverse workforce from the pharmaceutical & biomanufacturing, medical supplies, medtech, and digital health sectors, including very diverse profiles, from IT specialists to quality managers, all of whom must keep up-to-date with relevant skills to navigateIndustry 5.0 effectively.
The need for reskilling and upskilling is driven by several policy and legislative frameworks. The European Health Data Space (EHDS) and the AI Act are pivotal in shaping the future of health industry by promoting data interoperability and ethical AI use. Additionally, the Draghi and Letta reports emphasize the importance of competitiveness and strategic autonomy for the EU. TheCompetitiveness Compass further outlines the roadmap for sustainable growth and innovation. Moreover, the Critical Medicines Act aims to strengthen Europe's pharmaceutical supply chain, ensuring access to essential medicines by modernising the manufacturing capacity of critical medicines and reducing dependency on external suppliers.
In today's rapidly changing world, employers and workers face immense pressure to stay relevant. Economically, the ability to adapt to new roles and technologies is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and resilience. Socially, there is a growing expectation for continuous learning and development, as employees seek opportunities for career growth and job satisfaction. Politically, initiatives like the EU's investment in AI development highlight the demand for a workforce comfortable and competent to leverage new technologies. Additionally, the European GreenDeal drives the need for sustainable practices, requiring professionals to develop new skills that support the transition to a greener economy. Complementing this, the European GreenIndustrial Plan promotes investment in green innovation and sustainable manufacturing, while the European Clean Industrial Deal reinforces the shift towards climate-neutral and resource-efficient industries. Together, these initiatives emphasize the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling to navigate the green and digital transformation effectively.
Investing in reskilling and upskilling has numerous benefits. For employers, it leads to higher employee retention, boosts productivity, and enhances innovation - key factors in sustaining company growth and attractiveness in a competitive market. For employees, it offers career advancement opportunities and long-term job security. According to the European Commission, regular upskilling and reskilling are essential for maintaining competitiveness and fostering a culture of lifelong learning - crucial for business resilience and adaptability. Conversely, failing to invest in workforce development can result in widening skill gaps, lower employee engagement, higher turnover and reduced market position, ultimately limiting a company’s growth potential.
Employees today expect continuous learning opportunities. As career shifts and desires for long-term,stable, and supportive employment increase, workers are seeking employers providing structured, future-proof training programs for their career advancement.
BRIGHTskills aligns with these expectations by delivering strategic, industry-driven training programmes to empower professionals to thrive in this evolving industry.
Industry 5.0 isn’t just about business—it’s about people. BRIGHTskills is leading the change, equipping the health industry workforce with the skills they need to navigate a rapidly changing landscape.
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References:
CEDEFOP (2020), Empowering adults through upskilling and reskilling pathways
European Health Data Space Regulation (EHDS), Regulation (EU) 2025/327
Artificial Intelligence Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689
Mario Draghi (2024), The future of European competitiveness
Enrico Letta (2024), Much more than a market
European Commission COM/2025/30 final, A Competitiveness Compass for the EU
European Commission (2025), Proposal for a Critical Medicines Act
European Commission COM/2019/640 final, The European Green Deal
European Commission COM/2023/62 final, A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age
