Association of Nordic Engineers (ANE)

Ursula von der Leyen’s new European Commission has received final approval from the European Parliament this Thursday! 🎉 ANE extends heartfelt congratulations to the new Commission, and eagerly anticipates its solutions to several critical agendas.   We are particularly focused on four commissioners, whom we will follow closely and hold accountable:    Roxana Minzatu, we are keen to see the proposal for the EU #STEM Strategy. Considering that STEM skills shortages are a cross-sectoral issue extending beyond education policy, we want you to develop a resilient EU STEM strategy, not only Education Plan 🏛️🔬   Ekaterina Zaharieva, we are interested in concrete actions you will employ to retain top talent within the EU, especially in the face of #competition from countries with more attractive #funding and entrepreneurial environments 🌍💼   Henna Virkkunen, we would like you to propose concrete initiatives in support of companies struggling to implement advanced #technologies due to skill shortages 🤖📉   Stéphane Séjourné, we wish you to table the new #industrial strategy with focus on addressing skills shortages, particularly within STEM fields, which are critical barriers to #competitiveness, growth and innovation🧑🔬🔧   We look forward to engaging with the new Commission and supporting its efforts to drive progress and innovation across the EU. #ListentoEngineers IDA Sveriges Ingenjörer [Engineers of Sweden] NITO - Norges Ingeniør- og Teknologorganisasjon Tekniikan akateemiset TEK Insinööriliitto | Union of Professional Engineers in Finland Verkfræðingafélag Íslands Magnus Kjellsson Fin Krogh Jørgensen Jussi-Pekka Teini Marit Stykket Sigrun Hafstein Gro Tvedt Anderssen

🎉 Big congrats to GPAI, Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, and CEIMIA on launching the report, "Towards Substantive Equality in Artificial Intelligence: Transformative AI Policy for Gender Equality and Diversity", along with the policy guide on gender equality and diversity in #AI. This report is a step forward in tackling the risks of AI making existing inequalities worse, especially for historically marginalised groups. It dives into issues like discrimination, bias, and harmful stereotypes throughout the AI lifecycle. The report also aims to bring gender equality and diversity into AI ecosystems with practical recommendations and an action plan for different stakeholders. It focuses on raising awareness, building coalitions, and boosting capacity. Plus, it highlights the need for transparency and accountability in AI systems to prevent harm and ensure marginalised groups can challenge discriminatory practices. At ANE, we're proud to have played a small part in this important project, with our Secretary General, Inese Podgaiska, being part of the advisory group. 📥 Check out the report and recommendations here: https://lnkd.in/ePbpNSkc #GenderEquality #Diversity #Inclusion #AIethics #ListentoEngineers Grit Munk Sigrun Hafstein Mikko Särelä Caroline Sahlén Torsten Kjellgren Charlotte Drachmann Connie Riskær-Smidt Kjellsen Susanna Bairoh Sine Emborg Tolfsen NITO - Norges Ingeniør- og Teknologorganisasjon Sveriges Ingenjörer [Engineers of Sweden] IDA Insinööriliitto | Union of Professional Engineers in Finland Tekniikan akateemiset TEK Verkfræðingafélag Íslands

📆 In August, ANE had the pleasure of attending and contributing to the Nordic-Baltic High-Level Forum on AI Readiness. The forum resulted in 21 recommendations shared with The Nordic Council of Ministers and The Nordic Council and Nordic and Baltic Ministers for Digitalisation. Key Points 💡: 💠 Ambitious Goals for AI in the Nordic Region: By 2030, the Nordic region aims to lead the world in adopting #AI at scale, delivering tangible benefits for our citizens and companies. We will be second to none in applying trustworthy and secure AI to enhance the global competitiveness of our enterprises. Achieving this goal will require a partnership between different stakeholders. 💠Role of Trade Unions: We are happy to see that trade unions are recognized as important actors in upskilling, lifelong learning, and talent attraction. This focus is necessary to ensure the region’s competitiveness. We support the Key Initiative: Hub for Evidence-Based AI Upskilling and Education. Access to talent and skilled labour is crucial, and we must address the current shortage through comprehensive AI education and training. 💠Ongoing Initiatives: We are also glad to see that the initiative that started this year will continue in the future by gathering relevant stakeholders and forming new recommendations during the annual Nordic-Baltic High-Level Forum on AI Readiness, a key event to discuss and advance our AI goals. 💠Investment in AI and Digital Innovation: The Nordic Region needs speed and scale when investing in AI and digital innovation. Hence, we are in favour of establishing a working group to investigate how to enhance the investment ecosystems and support start-ups within the Nordic-Baltic region. 📆 This November, the Nordic and Baltic Ministers for Digitalization took another step to strengthen regional cooperation in AI preparedness by discussing these recommendations and the way forward. 🔗 Please find the AI Vision for the Nordic region here https://lnkd.in/dHwmibr8 What are your thoughts on the future of AI in the Nordic region? 🤔 #AI #NordicRegion #Upskilling #Innovation #AIReadiness #DigitalSkills Digital Dogme DI - Digital Raymond Skaustein Johannessen Kristiansen Bjørn Tore Sund Grit Munk Sigrun Hafstein Mikko Särelä NITO - Norges Ingeniør- og Teknologorganisasjon Sveriges Ingenjörer [Engineers of Sweden] IDA Insinööriliitto | Union of Professional Engineers in Finland Tekniikan akateemiset TEK Verkfræðingafélag Íslands Photos: Josefine Heimburger/norden.org

Today in Copenhagen, on EU’s Equal Pay Day, we are attending a conference at Christiansborg to discuss the EU directive on pay transparency. The focus is on exploring both the opportunities and challenges of implementing this important legislation. In Denmark, IDA and 13 other trade unions marked ‘women’s last working day’ yesterday. Why? Women in Denmark earn, on average, 12.4% less than men. Simplified, this means that from 14 November until the end of the year, women effectively work for free. In the EU the pay gap is 12.7%. Can the EU’s new directive and greater pay transparency help close the gender pay gap? We hope it will spark greater awareness of unconscious biases and drive us closer to pay equity. 💬 #EqualPayDay #PayTransparency #GenderEquality #FairPay IDA Sveriges Ingenjörer [Engineers of Sweden] NITO - Norges Ingeniør- og Teknologorganisasjon Tekniikan akateemiset TEK Insinööriliitto | Union of Professional Engineers in Finland Verkfræðingafélag Íslands Magnus Kjellsson Fin Krogh Jørgensen Jussi-Pekka Teini Marit Stykket Sigrun Hafstein Gro Tvedt Anderssen Charlotte Drachmann Connie Riskær-Smidt

🌟 NWITA Show is Here! 🌟ANE, represented by our Secretary General Inese Podgaiska, is thrilled to present the Innovator of the Year award. This award celebrates exceptional #innovators who push boundaries, develop groundbreaking solutions, and set new standards for excellence. The 5 nominees are: 🇩🇰  Fauna Smart Technologies Dr. Dragana Vukasinovic, PhD, Founder & CEO. Transforming agriculture with regenerative solutions, supported by the European Space Agency. Her work has won multiple awards in Europe for sustainable impact. 🇮🇸 Carbfix Leading the charge in climate innovation by transforming over 90,000 tons of CO₂ into stone beneath Iceland’s surface, setting a new standard in carbon storage. 🇸🇪 Nélida Leiva Eriksson, Ph.D - CEO & Founder at Ironic AB Developing plant-based, iron-rich ingredients to combat global iron deficiency, championing health equality and sustainable nutrition. 🇳🇴  Dr. Ida Susanna "Doktor Innovasjon" Fattah - CEO & Founder at Medlytic Accelerating healthcare innovation with data and technology, creating platforms to bring insights from healthcare professionals to developers. 🇫🇮  Ulla Maaria Koivula - Founder & CEO at ThingLink Pioneering interactive media technology and mixed reality in eLearning, connecting physical environments with digital information. And the winner is Carbfix 🏆 #WomenInSTEM #NordicTech #Innovation #TechAwards #FutureLeaders #ListenToEngineers #nwita2024 Safina de Klerk Marianne Bevum Gro Tvedt Anderssen Inese Podgaiska Tove Keldsen Jekaterina B. Plamena Cherneva NITO - Norges Ingeniør- og Teknologorganisasjon IDA Sveriges Ingenjörer [Engineers of Sweden] Tekniikan akateemiset TEK Insinööriliitto | Union of Professional Engineers in Finland Verkfræðingafélag Íslands

🌟This morning, ANE, NITO - Norges Ingeniør- og Teknologorganisasjon, and the Nordic Women in Tech Awards hosted a breakfast session focused on recruiting and retaining more women in STEM. 🎉A big thank you to Safina de Klerk, the day-to-day manager of the Science Center in Oslo and author of Talents in Growth, for sharing your personal story about navigating expectations as a woman in STEM, along with your insights on recruiting young people to the field and promoting a more equitable gender balance.🎉 💡 It was inspiring to see engaged women discussing ways to empower women and attract more girls to STEM fields. A key takeaway was the importance of sparking girls’ curiosity about STEM subjects at a young age, rather than waiting until they are teenagers. We also explored how to create inclusive workplaces that also support individuals in returning to work—both professionally and personally—after for example maternity leave. 👏 #WomenInSTEM #NordicTech #ListentoEngineers Marianne Bevum Gro Tvedt Anderssen Inese Podgaiska Tove Keldsen Jekaterina B. Plamena Cherneva IDA Sveriges Ingenjörer [Engineers of Sweden] Tekniikan akateemiset TEK Insinööriliitto | Union of Professional Engineers in Finland Verkfræðingafélag Íslands

📢 Today, the European Parliament will hold a crucial hearing with Commissioner-designate and Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen. ANE has submitted key questions to the Chairs and Nordic members of the ITRE and IMCO committees. 🔸 #GlobalCompetitiveness for #EuropeanTech: What strategies will you employ to ensure that European tech companies can compete on a global scale while adhering to EU regulations? 🔹 #BalancingRegulation and #Innovation: Given concerns that you might be a milder regulator than Breton, how do you plan to maintain a firm stance on big tech while fostering innovation? 🔸 Addressing #SkillsShortages in Innovation: How will you address the persistent skills shortages that hinder innovation and technology adoption in various sectors? 🔹 Support for Companies Facing #SkillGaps: What support will be available for companies struggling to implement advanced technologies due to #STEMskills shortages? 🔸 Effective Implementation of the #AIAct: How will you ensure the effective implementation of the AI Act across all EU countries, given the need for joint clarification and dedication? 📄 Find the questions and background information https://lnkd.in/dW_N4PTG Borys Budka, Anna Cavazzini, Morten Løkkegaard, Niels Fuglsang, Niels Flemming Hansen, Sigrid Friis, Eero Heinäluoma, Jussi Saramo, Ville Niinistö, Sofie Eriksson, Henrik Dahl, Christel Schaldemose, Maria Guzenina, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Adnan Dibrani, Hanna Rebecka Gedin Arba Kokalari, IDA Sveriges Ingenjörer [Engineers of Sweden] NITO - Norges Ingeniør- og Teknologorganisasjon Tekniikan akateemiset TEK Insinööriliitto | Union of Professional Engineers in Finland Verkfræðingafélag Íslands Magnus Kjellsson Fin Krogh Jørgensen Jussi-Pekka Teini Marit Stykket Sigrun Hafstein Gro Tvedt Anderssen #ListentoEngineers

📢 Upcoming Hearing with Commissioner-designate Roxana Minzatu! On November 12, the European Parliament will hold a pivotal hearing session with Commissioner-designate and Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness, Roxana Minzatu. In preparation, ANE has submitted key questions to Chair Li Andersson and the Nordic members of the EMPL committee, who are responsible for the hearing. We are eager to hear Commissioner-designate Mînzatu’s insights on several critical issues: 🔹 Data-Driven Policies: How will you use data on STEM labour market trends to address supply-side risks and ensure your policies are driven by accurate data, especially when it comes to developing the Quality Jobs Roadmap? 🔹 Cross-Sectoral Strategy: Considering that STEM skills shortages are a cross-sectoral issue extending beyond education policy, Draghi’s call for a dynamic shift, and Letta’s introduction of the fifth freedom, how will you ensure this Strategy is cross-sectoral and gains strong support from Member States, beyond just soft coordination? 🔹 Addressing Brain Drain: How will you mitigate the lack of data, which could form specific policies to retain and attract STEM talent, and how will these policies create competitive opportunities to address the issue of brain drain? 📄 Find the questions and background information here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dDs_HrdP   Johan Danielsson, Per Clausen Villy Søvndal Marianne Vind Maria Ohisalo IDA Sveriges Ingenjörer [Engineers of Sweden] NITO - Norges Ingeniør- og Teknologorganisasjon Tekniikan akateemiset TEK Insinööriliitto | Union of Professional Engineers in Finland Verkfræðingafélag Íslands Magnus Kjellsson Fin Krogh Jørgensen Jussi-Pekka Teini Marit Stykket Sigrun Hafstein Gro Tvedt Anderssen #ListentoEngineers #STEMskills #QualityJobs #BrainDrain #STEMstrategy #LabourMarket

📢 Upcoming Hearing: Commissioner-designate Stéphane Séjourné! On November 12, the European Parliament will conduct a significant hearing with Commissioner-designate and Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné. To facilitate a thorough discussion, ANE has submitted essential questions to the Chairs and Nordic members of the ITRE and IMCO committees. We are keen to hear Commissioner-designate Séjourné’s perspectives on several vital topics: 1️⃣ Addressing Skills Shortages: How do you plan to address the current skills shortages, especially within STEM that are critical barriers to competitiveness and innovation? And how will you ensure that Europe can attract and retain skilled professionals in essential industry sectors, particularly in the face of competition from countries with more attractive funding and entrepreneurial environments? 2️⃣ European Competitiveness Fund: How does the European Competitiveness Fund plan to address the critical barriers to the EU’s competitiveness, such as the shortage of STEM skills, outdated STI infrastructure, and insufficient investment in research and innovation? How can you guarantee that innovation and growth in industry sectors are maintained without relying on state aid, which can lead to unfair advantages? 3️⃣ Intellectual Property Rights: How will you ensure that the EU has a clear and enforceable intellectual property rights framework that facilitates collaboration between academia, industry, and startups? 🔗 Find the questions and background information https://lnkd.in/gmy7jExk   Borys Budka, Anna Cavazzini Morten Løkkegaard Niels Fuglsang Niels Flemming Hansen Sigrid Friis Eero Heinäluoma Henna Virkkunen Jussi Saramo Ville Niinistö Sofie Eriksson Henrik Dahl Christel Schaldemose Maria Guzenina Anna-Maja Henriksson, Adnan Dibrani Hanna Rebecka Gedin Arba Kokalari IDA Sveriges Ingenjörer [Engineers of Sweden] NITO - Norges Ingeniør- og Teknologorganisasjon Tekniikan akateemiset TEK Insinööriliitto | Union of Professional Engineers in Finland Verkfræðingafélag Íslands Magnus Kjellsson Fin Krogh Jørgensen Jussi-Pekka Teini Marit Stykket Sigrun Hafstein Gro Tvedt Anderssen #ListentoEngineers #STEMskills #GlobalCompetitiveness #TechInnovation #IntellectualProperty #IndustrialPolicy

📢 Hearing with Commissioner-designate Ekaterina Zaharieva! Today, the European Parliament holds a crucial hearing session with Commissioner-designate for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva. In preparation, ANE has submitted key questions to the Chair and Nordic members of the ITRE committee in the European Parliament, who are responsible for the hearing.  We are eager to hear Commissioner-designate Zaharieva’s insights on the following: 💠 Support for Startups: What specific measures will you implement to build a more supportive ecosystem for startups in the EU? 💠 Retaining Top Talent: What strategies will you employ to retain top talent within the EU, particularly in the face of competition from countries with more attractive funding and entrepreneurial environments? 💠 Intellectual Property Rights: How will you ensure that the EU has a clear and enforceable intellectual property rights framework that facilitates collaboration between academia, industry, and startups? 💠 Supporting Researchers and Innovators: What specific initiatives will you introduce to ensure that researchers and innovators thrive within the EU, and how do you plan to expand the European Innovation Council and European Research Council? 📄 Find the questions and background information https://lnkd.in/dPr7ESRh Borys Budka Morten Løkkegaard Niels Fuglsang Niels Flemming Hansen Sigrid Friis Eero Heinäluoma Henna Virkkunen, Jussi Saramo, Ville Niinistö Sofie Eriksson IDA Sveriges Ingenjörer [Engineers of Sweden] NITO - Norges Ingeniør- og Teknologorganisasjon Tekniikan akateemiset TEK Insinööriliitto | Union of Professional Engineers in Finland Verkfræðingafélag Íslands Magnus Kjellsson Fin Krogh Jørgensen Jussi-Pekka Teini Marit Stykket Sigrun Hafstein Gro Tvedt Anderssen #ListentoEngineers #TalentRetention #STEMskills #techdevelopment #innovation #research #startups