Analytics, EU – Baltic States, Innovations, Modern EU, Technology

Most people in labour market issues, education, industry and business wonder how to develop optimal business-industry-aligned education and training. It is not an easy task for both politicians and economists; however, digitalisation process can definitely help. Some modern projects supported by the EU Horizon program have shown the way forward.

Suggested solutions and way-outs

First, Commission suggested is so-called “data science technology”: the emergence of such data science technologies is having an impact on nearly every aspect of conducting research, scientists’ way of thinking, as well as use and sharing research data.

The EDISON project provides foundation mechanisms to speed-up the increase in the number of competent and qualified “data scientists” in Europe. This Commission’s EDISON initiates various measures to reduce the gap between the supply side of educators and trainers and the demand side of employers. The EDISON Data Science Framework (EDSF) is based on some recommendations and documents: e.g. the Competence Framework, the Body of Knowledge and the Model Curriculum; there are as well various processes that help to keep the information within these documents fresh and relevant are almost equally as important.

See more in: http://edison-project.eu/edison 

Second. to speed-up the number of competent and qualified data scientists in Europe, the EDISON project (Education for Data Intensive Science to Open New science frontiers) has developed the EDISON Data Science Framework (EDSF).

On Edison see: http://edison-project.eu/; 

on EDSF see: http://edison-project.eu/edison/edison-data-science-framework-edsf   

Assisting educators

The Data Science Framework, EDSF gathers training materials and information to help educators, trainers, employers, and research infrastructure managers in identifying, recruiting and inspiring the data science professionals of the future. The EDSF can be used to develop new courses in data science, evaluate existing modules and courses, draft job descriptions, and plan and design efficient data-intensive research teams across a range of scientific disciplines. 

All EDSF documents are freely available via the project’s website as an open source product.

Even if the project is now over, the EDSF remains a dynamic tool used to define common tools that others can build on and addressing the increasing demand for data-related skills.

Digital technologies have transformed nearly every aspect of how research is conducted, how scientists think, and how research data are used and shared. To make the most of this evolution, the EU-funded EDISON project has developed tools to boost data science education and encourage the emergence of the profession of data scientist. 

See more in:

https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/edison-training-scientists-today-and-tomorrow

During September 2015- August 2017, the project developers received about € 2,5 million of EU funding under Horizon 2020, the EU research and innovation programme.

By supporting data science, EDISON project has encouraged the spread of open science and “big data” technologies, which allow research to be more open, collaborative, creative and closer to the society.

On EU Horizon 2020 program see: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/; on Open Science & Big Data see: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/open-science; and  https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/big-data. 

On common EU data space see: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/communication-towards-common-european-data-space

New generation of scientists

Another program, i.e. the EDISON Champions of Education and Training is aimed at helping to create the new generation of “data science professionals”. EDISON seeks to support such pioneers particularly where they are exploiting the outputs of the EDISON initiative in the form of the EDISON Data Science Framework (EDSF).

In addition to making use of the EDSF, “champions” provide crucial feedback into the evolution of the framework. Champions refers to teams at universities, colleges or other teaching or training establishments engaged in developing and /or delivering the courses that “data science professionals” need. Support for such teams varies and is dependent on particular needs that can help move things forward. In particular support will focus on bringing such teams together for various meetings and conferences to share best practice. 

See more in:

http://edison-project.eu/edison/education-and-training-champions

The Commission is fully aware that “data science” is a complex profession, where several competences from multiple disciplines have to be combined to identify a profile of professional competences that are required more and more in several employment contexts and stakeholder domains.

The employment market segments for data scientists range from pure e-Science driven by research communities, to applications of data science professionals in such spheres as public management, numerous industry sectors and corresponding labour market segments (from pharmaceutical, to manufacturing, aerospace, energy, etc). 

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