The growing demand for skilled employees within the European Software Sector cannot be met by current education and training programmes. Europe needs an innovative new Software Skills Strategy that can fast-track the upskilling and reskilling of Europe’s workforce to address this ever-increasing skills gap. Technology innovation has changed the paradigm of the way software and IT infrastructure are being designed, delivered and managed (vide: automation, instant availability of services, growing software support functions), allowing for shorter and more efficient education cycles. Vocational education is considered as an applicable format, which enables better alignment with industry and employers real time needs and more flexible learning pathways.The European Software Skills Alliance led by DIGITALEUROPE brings together key Industry and Education stakeholders from across the domain to design and implement a highly innovative, effective and sustainable Software Skills Strategy for Europe that will ensure the skills needs of the rapidly expanding and evolving Software Sector can be met in the short, medium and long term. The Alliance will work together to develop, implement and disseminate a new Software Skills Strategy that will tackle the current and future skills shortages in the European Software Sector, enabling continuous development, innovation and competitiveness within the industry.The project includes:- the establishment of a long-term partnership between The European Software Skills Alliance members; - the design of an innovative and sustainable Software Skills Strategy;- development, testing and roll-out of VET training curricula for VET and higher VET;- VET training programmes and qualifications in line with latest market needs and consistently linked with EU instruments and tools enabling professional skills and career development in general and empowering ICT Professionalism and digital competences in particular.

Background The growing demand for skilled employees within the Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot be met by current education and training programmes. Europe needs an innovative European AI Strategy that can fast-track the upskilling and of the EU’s workforce to meet this ever-increasing demand.ObjectiveThe project will support the implementation of the Pact for Skills by developing a sectoral skills strategy on AI. This strategy aims to lead to systemic and structural impact on reducing skills shortages, gaps, and mismatches, as well as ensure appropriate quality and levels of skillsParticipants The ARISA project configurating the European AI Skills Alliance, sets up a consortium of 16 partners and 4 associated partners led by DIGITALEUROPE, brings together key Industry and Education stakeholders from across the domain.Activities The ARISA consortium will work together to develop, implement and disseminate an AI European Strategy that will tackle the current and future skills shortages in the AI Sector, enabling continuous development, innovation and competitiveness within the industry. Methodology The project will be implemented in 9 work packages as follows: WP 1 – Project managementWP 2 - Needs analysisWP 3 – AI Skills StrategyWP 4 - Development of an innovative curricula and training program WP 5 - Development of a certification systemWP 6 – Piloting in different EU countriesWP 7 – Dissemination and communicationWP 8 – Long term sustainabilityWP 9 – Quality assuranceExpected results and impact The project includes the establishment of a long-term partnership for an innovative European Artificial Intelligence Skills Alliance; the design of an innovative and sustainable short term and long term Strategy; the development, testing and roll-out of VET and HE training curricula in 8 pilot sites (5 universities and 3 VET providers), the adaptation of programmes and qualifications in line with latest market needs and consistently linked withaaaa