Advancing Industry 5.0: Building Skills, Enhancing Employee Voice and Driving Workplace Innovation
The SEISMEC project, in collaboration with the EUWIN, BRIDGES 5.0, and BROADVOICE EU projects, co-organised a conference on the future of work, employee voice, and Industry 5.0. The event was held at the Irish College in Leuven, Belgium, featuring an opening session on the afternoon of June 16, 2025, followed by a full day of discussions on June 17, 2025.
Conference Highlights
A central theme that emerged throughout the discussions was the critical role of the employee voice in shaping the future of work and the imperative need to improve working life for employees as a key driver of EU sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness. The active participation of workers in job and work design was emphasised as essential to both individual well-being and organisational success.
Another key topic of discussion was the growing challenge of labour and skills shortages across Europe, particularly in green industries, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and related sectors. As technological development accelerates, it was highlighted that innovations, particularly in AI, must be deployed to empower employees, support workplace innovation, and enhance the quality of working life.
The SEISMEC Workshop
The SEISMEC project supports policy directions that facilitate the transition to a human-centric Industry 5.0. Hence, during the dedicated SEISMEC workshop, which was attended by 25 participants, of which 15 stakeholders/company representatives, stakeholders discussed the barriers and challenges identified by the project in progressing towards Industry 5.0.
One of their conclusions was that human-centric operations can enhance EU industrial competitiveness in both existing and emerging markets. Leveraging EU ecosystems, such as the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) and clusters, was highlighted as a key mechanism for supporting companies through their transition to Industry 5.0.
Participants also emphasised the importance of a flexible, Europe-wide policy agenda that acknowledges cultural differences among member states, with a particular focus on the specific needs of new member states.
Conclusions and Remarks
Driving meaningful change towards Industry 5.0 cannot rest solely on organisations, it requires close collaboration with the state to develop the necessary policies and active engagement with trade unions to ensure inclusive outcomes.
While discussions on productivity occurred, the topic of earnings needs to be carefully addressed. Particularly in the context of AI, it is crucial to examine the link between rising productivity and earnings, since productivity increases may not necessarily reflect higher earnings.
Bridging the gap between academia and business is also essential, as well as to explore how research can address real business challenges and support the shift toward Industry 5.0.
To prepare for the future, management education must integrate human-centric principles so that future managers are properly trained for Industry 5.0.
Worker participation is both a foundation of democratic practice and a matter of fairness, recognising that it is employees who carry out the work. Technological change cannot be imposed from above, new solutions must be developed and implemented through meaningful dialogue with those who will use them. For Industry 5.0 to succeed, it must be shaped in partnership with the workforce and those who represent them.
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