EWF participated in the recent EFFRA General Assembly & Annual Event in Brussels, where discussions focused on some of the key challenges currently shaping the future of European manufacturing. As an EFFRA member for the past 10 years, EWF was also pleased to take part in this year’s exchange.

Representing EWF, Eurico Assunção contributed to the session under WG3: Human-Centric Manufacturing - Tools, Skills and AI, which addressed the relationship between technological change, industrial transformation and the role of people in manufacturing systems.

The discussion highlighted several issues that are gaining increased relevance across the sector, including skills gaps, the need for upskilling at scale, and the challenge of ensuring that innovation reaches industrial practice more effectively.
The role of AI and digitalisation was also addressed in connection with broader questions around workforce preparedness, implementation on the shop floor and the conditions needed to support a more human-centred approach to manufacturing transformation.

The event also opened space for wider reflection on how Europe can strengthen its manufacturing base while responding to changing industrial and technological demands. In this context, exchanges pointed to the importance of aligning innovation efforts with practical implementation, industrial needs and the capabilities required across the workforce.

In addition, EWF also brought visibility to ongoing work connected to these themes, including the RaRe² Project and IAMQS. In particular, RaRe² helped illustrate the relevance of more adaptable and responsive manufacturing approaches within the broader discussion on industrial transformation. Its presence in the event created a clear link between the debate on human-centric manufacturing and EWF’s wider work in skills, innovation and industrial implementation.