The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is proud to announce that the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative has achieved its goal of training one million people in deep tech fields – a major milestone that strengthens the EU’s competitiveness by equipping its workforce with the advanced skills needed to lead in emerging technologies.
Under the Initiative, the EIT and its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), together with partner organisations, are delivering training and skills programmes across Europe. These are open to learners of all ages – from school pupils through higher education students to professionals and entrepreneurs. The EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative provides funding for learning materials, while the EIT leverages its network of partners to build a strong alliance of training providers, companies, universities, public authorities and financiers.
Martin Kern, Director of the EIT, added: ‘Training the talents behind tomorrow’s innovations is central to our mission. By connecting people and organisations across Europe, we are building a community that will give us the skills to boost Europe’s competitiveness and tackle major challenges.’
The new projects, kicking off on 1 April 2025, bring together 629 organisations across 46 countries, of which 288 are HEIs, 189 are businesses, and 151 are non-academic organisations (research centres, public authorities, and associations). Through this Call, 180 new HEIs — who have never taken part in the initiative’s projects — will participate as full partners, bringing the total number of funded HEIs to 539 since 2021 and meeting the original target of 500 HEIs to take part by 2027 ahead of time.
To reach the goal of training one million talents, the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative worked with over 600 partner organisations who signed the Pledge, alongside the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) and other EIT Community initiatives offering courses. Among the top contributors in terms of talent trained are Pledgers such as JA Europe, Intel Corporation, Generation Italy, Generation UK, UiPath, Helixconnect Europe, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, MinnaLearn, Kodluyoruz (We Code), and Generation Spain. The countries with the highest number of talents trained include Norway, Austria, Greece, Ukraine, and France.
The Initiative has built a catalogue of over 210 deep tech courses, with 16% focused on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Other popular topics include Advanced Computing and Quantum Computing, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Deep Tech, Advanced Materials, and Advanced Manufacturing. Most courses are geared towards professional training and academic programmes, with an average duration of 705 hours. Women make up 36% of all trained talents.
With Europe currently lacking the talent and skilled labour force necessary to leverage the new technologies for the green and digital transition, the EIT is addressing the talent gap by developing a strong deep tech talent pool across Europe. Launched in 2022, The EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative is a pioneering programme, aiming to skill one million people in European deep tech fields by the end of 2025. The initiative will continue to train the next generation of STEM tech talent as highlighted by the Union of Skills initiative. Training programmes are available on the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative platform in the following fields: Advanced Computing / Quantum Computing; Advanced Manufacturing; Advanced Materials; Aerospace, Automotive and Remote Sensing; Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, including Big Data; Biotechnology and Life Sciences; Communications and Networks, including 5G; Cybersecurity and Data Protection; Electronics and Photonics; Internet of Things, W3C, Semantic Web; Robotics; Semiconductors (microchips), Sustainable Energy and Clean Technologies; Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Metaverse; Web 3.0, including Blockchain, Distributed Ledgers, NFTs.
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology is the EU’s largest innovation ecosystem, integrating business, education, and research to drive innovation across Europe. As part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation framework, the EIT supports dynamic partnerships known as Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), each addressing specific global challenges such as climate change, health, digitalization, and sustainable energy. Through these KICs, the EIT offers entrepreneurial education, business creation and acceleration services, and innovation-driven research projects, aiming to create jobs, foster sustainable growth, and enhance Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage
