DIGITALEUROPE joins CHAISE to design Europe’s strategy for blockchain skills

DIGITALEUROPE joins the CHAISE (blockCHAIn Skills for Europe) consortium, bringing together Europe’s top stakeholders in blockchain innovation and skills development. With a mandate from the European Commission, the new CHAISE project will develop a new blockchain skills strategy to address the lack of trained specialists in blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) across Europe.

The CHAISE initiative has officially launched with its virtual kick-off meeting taking place from 18 to 20 November. Funded by the European Commission under Erasmus+ programme – Sector Skills Alliances, the four-year project aims to develop a strategic approach on blockchain skills development and accordingly will design the missing European Blockchain Skills Strategy.

Europe is well-positioned to lead the global race for blockchain. In many sectors where Europe is in a leading position, such as industry, manufacturing, agriculture and technology, blockchain or other DLTs can be successfully applied. At the same time, the lack of digital skills throughout Europe could hinder this ambition and slow down innovation in blockchain and DLTs as well as other emerging technologies.

To counteract this dynamic and “close the gap”, the CHAISE project aims to deliver and reinforce blockchain skills for Europe. Among other expected outcomes, the project will develop a certified training programme for blockchain and DLTs and the first-ever “blockchain specialist” occupational profile.

Blockchain skills development done right

CHAISE is well-equipped for the paradigm shift ushered in by blockchain. Led by the Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL), the project’s consortium consists of European and global leaders in blockchain and DLTs, including industry and academic partners, sectoral organisations and communities.

The project will develop a 5-semester Vocational education and training (VET) programme in 11 EU languages with an innovative approach. In addition to technical skills specific to blockchain/DLTs, the CHAISE curriculum will also include non-technical soft skills to respond to specific needs of modern work environments, such as problem-solving and team work as well as a customer-oriented and entrepreneurial mindset.

In addition, all learning materials developed by the project will be consolidated into an open online course. Finally, CHAISE will also develop the first-ever “blockchain specialist” occupational profile in line with existing competences and qualification frameworks to guarantee a common language for digital skills descriptions.

Pave the way for a long-term collaboration at both EU and national levels

Joining the CHAISE consortium, DIGITALEUROPE leads the work package on sustaining sectoral cooperation in the long term and supporting the rollout of the project’s results at national level, ensuring broad involvement and uptake of all interested European and national actors. Under this work package, project partners will set the foundation for the formation of a European Blockchain Skills Cooperation Network and National Blockchain Skills Partnershipswhich will be continued to ensure the implementation of the Blockchain Skills Strategy at both EU and national levels after the project’s completion.

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