SHAPING ADULT TRAINERS’ QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES IN THE TWIN TRANSITION: A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR 2050

Authors

  • Andreas Ahrens Hochschule Wismar University of Applied Sciences Technology Business and Design, Germany
  • Anna Högnadóttir Com & Train, Denmark
  • Janis Dzerviniks Riga Technical University, Latvia
  • Svetlana Usca Riga Technical University, Latvia
  • Jelena Zascerinska Centre for Education and Innovation Research, Latvia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4664-8593
  • Robertas Kavolius Creative Future Ideas, Lithuania
  • Silva Blazulioniene Creative Future Ideas, Lithuania
  • Anastasija Bikova Hochschule Wismar University of Applied Sciences Technology Business and Design, Germany
  • Mihails Zascerinskis Centre for Education and Innovation Research, Latvia
  • Irina Abjalkiene Centre for Education and Innovation Research, Latvia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17770/eid2025.1.8379

Keywords:

adult education, adult trainers, Baltic countries, competencies, Nordic countries, qualifications, twin transition

Abstract

By 2050, traditional workforce skills will be insufficient to meet the demands of an evolving labour market where industries are shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), automation, renewable energy integration, and sustainability-driven business practices. The aim of this work is to explore qualifications, skills, and pedagogical approaches required by adult trainers for lifelong learning in the shifting landscape underpinning the elaboration of a strategic framework for 2050.The mixed-method methodology integrates qualitative stakeholder interviews with workforce forecasting and policy analysis. In total, 50 respondents were interviewed in Denmark, Greenland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania – five Nordic/Baltic countries. The theoretical and empirical analysis allow concluding that by 2050, competent performance, digital literacy and sustainability expertise will be fundamental in workforce training. The present work carried out within the SMART MAP project highlights the critical role of adult trainers in facilitating the Twin Transition. The interview results show that technical, cognitive, and socio-emotional skills will shape the competence framework for adult education in 2050. This study reveals the necessity for cross-border collaboration in developing strategic frameworks on adult education 2050. Directions of further research have been proposed.

Supporting Agencies
The presented work has been carried out within the project NPAD-2023/10103 “Mapping Adult Trainers‘ Qualifications and Competencies in twin transition to SMART future /SMART MAP” supported by Nordplus Adult 2023.

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Published

08.07.2025

How to Cite

Ahrens, A., Högnadóttir, A., Dzerviniks, J., Usca, S., Zascerinska, J., Kavolius, R., Blazulioniene, S., Bikova, A., Zascerinskis, M., & Abjalkiene, I. (2025). SHAPING ADULT TRAINERS’ QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES IN THE TWIN TRANSITION: A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR 2050. Education. Innovation. Diversity, 1(10), 12-20. https://doi.org/10.17770/eid2025.1.8379