EU launches digital skills academies to bridge critical talent gaps in key technological areas

The European Commission has announced the launch of four cutting-edge sectoral digital skills academies under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) work programme for 2025–2027, targeting critical talent shortages across key digital domains. The initiative aims to bolster the EU’s technological sovereignty and innovation capacity by delivering specialised education and training in quantum technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and virtual worlds. 

Connecting talent and training via the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform

A feature of this initiative is its integrated approach via the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform (DSJP). Each academy will be hosted in a dedicated landing page here on the platform, serving as a one-stop shop for all related education, training, and funding opportunities, events, and community-building activities. These pages will boost visibility and accessibility for learners, educators, and industry stakeholders across Europe.

Each academy will function as a cornerstone in its sector, identifying skill gaps, developing modular and up-to-date training programmes, and scaling successful initiatives. Through strategic partnerships with academia, industry, and public institutions, the academies will address both the supply and demand of digital skills, while also acting as powerful catalysts for promoting digital careers—especially among women. 

A multi-pronged approach to digital training

The academies are designed around three core pillars:

Knowledge, education, and training

Collaborating with academia, training providers, research institutions, and industry partners, the academies will design and deliver higher education programmes and modular training courses. These initiatives will target a diverse audience, including undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students, as well as professionals, SMEs, startups, and public sector employees. A key feature of the training will be its flexibility—ranging from higher education programmes with European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) recognition to microcredential offerings—and will incorporate practical experiences such as internships, fellowships, and laboratory placements.

Building the ecosystem

Beyond formal education, the academies will serve as catalysts for building robust sectoral ecosystems. They aim to promote careers in these high-tech fields by increasing the visibility of digital skills training and fostering industry partnerships. Special emphasis is placed on increasing the participation of women and on creating pathways, including scholarships and returnship schemes, to attract and retain diverse talent. International collaborations are also being encouraged to bring in global expertise and further strengthen the ecosystem.

Measuring progress

To ensure that efforts are aligned with the evolving demands of the digital labour market, each academy will implement methodologies to track progress. This includes setting and monitoring key indicators, adapting training curricula in response to market changes, and leveraging established EU measurement frameworks. 

Sector-specific academies

Building on the common strategic framework, the academies are designed to address the distinct challenges and opportunities within each digital area. By combining bespoke educational offerings with a dynamic ecosystem-building approach, these sector-specific academies are set to drive innovation and foster a deep reservoir of specialised talent across critical technological frontiers. The following are the four targeted areas:

Quantum digital skills academy

This academy will serve as a central hub for interdisciplinary quantum technologies training. It will offer tailored tutorials, hands-on activities, and summer schools to equip professionals from non-quantum backgrounds with the skills needed to drive the industrial applications of quantum computing, communication, simulation, and sensing. It aims to bridge the gap between traditional disciplines and quantum technologies. The academy’s efforts will underpin the EU’s ambition to lead globally in quantum technologies. 

AI skills academy

The AI Skills Academy will be a one-stop-shop for developing educational and training schemes in two main focus areas:  

1. Skills for the uptake and deployment of AI and in particular ‘GenAI’ in key economic sectors;  
2. Skills related to the development and deployment of AI models in the ‘AI Factories’ facilities.  

The academy will empower undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students, as well as current and future sector and ICT specialists in SMEs, startups, and the public sector with basic and advanced skills for developing, deploying and applying AI models and applications in their field.

Two projects will be selected to implement the AI skills academy. In the first call, the elements focused on the uptake and deployment of AI and GenAI will be covered. Another call will be organised at the end of the year to cover the specific skillset necessary for the development of AI models in the AI Factories’ infrastructures. The two projects will closely collaborate to ensure an aligned education and training offer. 

Chips skills academy

With the semiconductor sector expected to need over 200,000 additional workers by 2030, the Chips Skills Academy will concentrate on fortifying the semiconductor value chain. It will develop curricula at both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels focused on microelectronics, photonics, and chip manufacturing. Additionally, it will create modular, short-term courses for current professionals and support initiatives to enhance teaching expertise in this critical sector.

Virtual worlds skills academy

As virtual worlds blend digital and physical realities; this academy will address the training needs of an evolving industry: all technological blocks of virtual worlds. Its interdisciplinary approach covers technologies such as extended reality, 3D graphics, blockchain, computer vision, and more, alongside complementary fields like law, ethics, and design. The academy will provide specialised training for sector specialists—from healthcare to cultural industries—as well as foundational courses to empower citizens with an understanding of virtual world technologies.

First call for academies now open

The call for the establishment of three of the sectoral digital skills academies (Quantum, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Worlds) has been officially published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, open for submission from 15 April onwards. The call for the Chips skills academy is planned to follow in 2027. Interested stakeholders are encouraged to apply for funding to support the development of these flagship training initiatives. To help guide potential applicants, an Info Day will be held on May 16th. This event will provide valuable insights into the call and offer participants an opportunity to ask questions and get detailed guidance on the application process.