Technical expertise is no longer enough in today’s digitally transforming manufacturing landscape. Companies increasingly seek professionals who can combine hard skills with strong soft skills—communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving. Siemens, a global industrial powerhouse, has been at the forefront of this shift, integrating soft skills development into its workforce training programmes to future-proof its operations and employees.
The Shift Towards Soft Skills
Siemens recognised that as automation and AI reshape industrial roles, employees must be empowered to collaborate effectively, make decisions autonomously, and navigate change with resilience. In response, Siemens launched several internal European initiatives to embed soft skills training within their technical upskilling pathways. This response to internal needs and aligned with external frameworks like the EU’s LifeComp model, which outlines key personal, social, and learning-to-learn competencies.
Case in Point: Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program (SMSCP)
One notable example is the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program (SMSCP). While this programme is widely known for its technical rigour, Siemens enhanced its delivery by incorporating collaborative projects, real-world problem-solving scenarios, and peer feedback mechanisms. These elements encouraged trainees to exercise leadership, manage group dynamics, and reflect critically on their work—skills directly transferable to modern smart factories.
Through this approach, Siemens effectively bridged the gap between classroom learning and factory floor realities. Instructors reported greater engagement, and learners developed a more comprehensive understanding of how soft skills contribute to production efficiency and workplace harmony.
A Blueprint for VET Systems
The Siemens model provides valuable insight for Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers looking to enhance their curricula. By integrating soft skills development into technical training, VET programmes can offer learners a more holistic education that aligns with industry demands. Siemens has also partnered with educational institutions, offering mentorship and co-designed modules, to disseminate this approach further.
Aligning with SoftSkills4Mfg
The SoftSkills4Mfg project draws inspiration from such best practices. We aim to support VET providers in developing flexible, co-created curricula that strengthen learners’ soft skills in manufacturing. Siemens’ initiatives reinforce the importance of combining theory with practice and provide a compelling case for the value of soft skills in industrial innovation.
As we move toward Industry 5.0, working creatively, thinking critically, and collaborating effectively will be just as vital as mastering a CNC machine or programming a robot. Siemens’ journey offers a glimpse into what the future of manufacturing education can and should look like.
Source:
https://www.businessinsider.com/sc/how-siemens-is-filling-hundreds-of-manufacturing-jobs?utm
