The research presented by Romero Gázquez et al. highlights a concerning gap between the digital skills required by Industry 4.0 and the training currently provided by Higher Education (HE) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions across Europe.
Conducted within the framework of the European project MAKING 4.0, the study analyzed the readiness of students and professionals in the furniture and manufacturing sectors to face the challenges posed by key enabling technologies (KETs) such as robotics, 3D printing, IoT, and cloud computing.
The findings clearly reveal a significant shortfall in training, both in academic settings and within industry—particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises that have yet to fully adopt these emerging technologies.
The study also underscores a growing interest—especially among students—in postgraduate programs focused on Industry 4.0, with a marked preference for online learning formats. However, it also reveals that many current HE programs fail to adequately address KET-related content and are not sufficiently aligned with the actual demands of the labor market.
This misalignment creates a disconnect between academic instruction and the competencies required by industries undergoing digital transformation, potentially jeopardizing the employability of future professionals unless proactive measures are taken.
In the context of remote and distance education, the study highlights the strategic value of platforms such as Google Forms for data collection and the potential implementation of online training programs. These tools support skill development in a flexible, accessible format.
Continuous and specialized training in digital technologies is essential to accompany industrial evolution, and distance education can play a critical role in bridging the gap between academia and the labor market in the era of Industry 4.0.
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How to Cite: Romero Gázquez, J. L., Bueno Delgado, M. V., Ortega Gras, J. J., Garrido Lova, J., Gómez Gómez, M. V., & Zbiec, M. (2021). Lack of skills, knowledge and competences in Higher Education about Industry 4.0 in the manufacturing sector. RIED. Revista Iberoamericana de Educación a Distancia, 24(1), 285–313. https://doi.org/10.5944/ried.24.1.27548
