Equipping European SMEs with Skills & Technologies for the Digital Transformation (blended workshop)

Across Europe, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in traditional industries are under increasing pressure to adapt to the digital era. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, robotics, or IoT-enabled platforms are transforming production processes, business models, and supply chains. At the same time, the demand for digital skills is growing rapidly, while many SMEs face difficulties in identifying the right technologies, acquiring the necessary expertise, and investing in workforce training.

Sectors such as personal protective equipment (PPE), textile care, and medical devices illustrate these challenges well: they are highly regulated and often built on long-established processes, while at the same time confronted with increasing demand for traceability, regulatory compliance, automation and sustainability.

This workshop, organised by Small Business Standards, in collaboration with DTV and DIGITAL SME, will provide a forum for SME representatives, technology or standards experts, and policymakers to exchange perspectives on the skills and technologies driving digital transformation in the traditional industry. It will highlight opportunities for European SMEs to adopt new digital solutions, learn from concrete case studies, and discover resources and initiatives available to support their upskilling and innovation journeys.

Agenda 

10:00 – 10:10 Opening & Introduction - Welcome by Small Business Standards

10:10 – 10:30 Keynote Presentation

10:30 – 11:20 Expert presentations on key technology trends

• Digitalisation of medical devices and data
• Smart Textiles
• Identification and Labelling
• EU Cybersecurity and regulatory requirements
• Artificial Intelligence

11:20 – 11:25 Short Q&A Session

11:25 – 11:55 Panel Discussion: Technology, Standards and next steps for the Digital Product Passport

11:55 – 12:00 Short Q&A Session

12:00 – 12:20 SME Journeys in Digitalisation

• Case study (SME): Digital transformation in the PPE/textile service industry
• Case study (SME): Digital innovation in medical devices or textile care

12:20 – 12:45 Building Digital Skills and Ecosystem Support: Presentation of initiatives for skills development, available resources, training programs, and funding opportunities

12:45 – 12:55 Q&A Session, Open Discussion & Exchange

12:55 – 13:00 Final Remarks & Closure

Register here! 

Register for this workshop via here and secure your digital spot to talk about SMEs, digitalisation, and technology. The workshop takes place both online and in person in DTV's offices in Otto-Suhr-Allee 97-99, 10585 Berlin, Germany.