The newly published report “D5.1 Skills for Industry 5.0 in the European Wood and Furniture Sector: Labour Market Trends and Enterprise-Level Recommendations", sheds light on the evolving skills landscape of Europe’s wood and furniture sector, exploring how the industry can thrive in the era of Industry 5.0. 

The study, produced by FLA with the support of the external expert Carlo Pace, demonstrates that the sector is undergoing a profound competence shift. On the green side, competencies in eco-materials, life-cycle thinking, and energy optimisation are emerging as essential. On the digital side, four domains emerge: robotics and human–robot interaction, artificial intelligence, digital twins, simulation technologies, and data-driven decision-making. Complementing these technical skills, transversal abilities such as adaptability, co-design, systems thinking, and digital collaboration are fundamental for navigating complex, hybrid production ecosystems.

The report highlights significant gaps in training, especially for SMEs, which often rely on informal learning. Digital adoption remains uneven, green skills are not yet widely diffused, and existing programmes fall short of delivering hybrid profiles required for Industry 5.0 deployment.

To address these challenges, the report proposes five strategic priorities: 1) Shifting from reactive to proactive competence strategies, embedding skills development into business planning and technology investments, 2) Structuring modular upskilling pathways, 3) Implementing practical skills audits and ecosystem governance, 4) Fostering workforce engagement through co-design and peer learning, and 5) Leveraging EU funding and cross-border innovation opportunities.

The findings underscore that competences are the linchpin of Industry 5.0 adoption. By equipping workers with hybrid green and digital skills and embedding them into organisational and technological strategies, the European wood and furniture sector can achieve human-centric innovation, greater resilience, and sustainable competitiveness for the long term.

Follow the progress of the project and download the report visiting the project website https://furn50.eu/downloads