Mapping the Future of Work in Baden-Württemberg: Strategic TRAILS Workshops Advance Pilot Planning

19/12/2025

Following successful sessions in Borås and Tuscany, the TRAILS project continued its journey to the region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, on December 9th and 10th, 2025. Organized by Andrea Bernert-Bürkle of the Volkshochschulverband BW and Regine Zizelmann of the Landesnetzwerk Weiterbildungsberatung BW, these workshops were led by Sylvana Hiltrop and Mary Ramsis from SkillLab.

The event brought together a diverse group of representatives from counseling organizations, regional education providers, and universities. These workshops prioritized understanding the complex regional ecosystem of education and employment support services, as well as highlighting the value of a skills-based approach when mapping the connection between people, education, and jobs.

Day 1: Organizational Strategy & Ecosystem Mapping

The first day engaged ecosystem actors to determine how the TRAILS pilot can be integrated into existing regional counseling structures. The goal is to strengthen skill-based approaches without creating administrative and service duplication, ensuring that AI-enabled tools complement and add value to the existing systems.

Day 2: Practical Application & User Perspectives

The second day brought the project to life by involving caseworkers, teachers, and migrants actively looking for employment. Participants had the opportunity to test SkillLab’s AI-powered skills assessment tool, which leverages a database of over 13,900 skills aligned with the ESCO taxonomy.

A standout insight from the testing was the immense interest in the tool’s ability to capture informal learning and life experiences. For many migrants in the room, the AI allowed them to translate their unique backgrounds into granular, professional skill profiles. This capability empowers individuals to make informed, strategic career decisions and helps counselors move toward a more skills-based approach.

This initiative forms a core part of TRAILS’ broader research into how personalized skill assessments can enhance participation in training across Europe. By generating and applying detailed skills intelligence, the study seeks to align training pathways with evolving labor market needs.