Competent Supervisors – Skills for the Needs of a Changing World of Work

The operating environments of the industrial and logistics sectors are changing rapidly. Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, internationalisation, and increasing workforce diversity are creating new demands on supervisory and team leadership roles. In micro and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), supervisors are often appointed based on their strong professional expertise rather than formal leadership training. At the same time, heavy workloads, continuous change, and insufficient support can place significant pressure on supervisors.
The purpose of the project is to strengthen the leadership and supervisory competencies of managers and supervisors working in industrial and logistics companies, as well as in SMEs providing services to these sectors. The development activities focus on addressing real-life workplace challenges and the evolving competence needs faced by supervisors in their everyday work.
The project will develop a 5 ECTS continuing education programme designed to be completed alongside work. The programme is based on short, practical micro-learning modules, independent learning assignments, and peer-learning sessions. The curriculum covers people management, managing change and daily operations, strategic and data-driven leadership, digital leadership, financial, HR and legal fundamentals, as well as self-leadership and supervisors’ well-being.
The project aims to enhance the ability of supervisors in SMEs to respond to changes in working life and to lead people, competence development, and organisational activities in diverse workplace environments. In addition, the project seeks to strengthen supervisors’ well-being, resilience, and capacity to adapt to change. Three training groups will be implemented during the project: a pilot group (spring 2027), Group 2 (autumn 2027), and Group 3 (spring 2028).
As a result of the project, the competence of supervisors working in industrial and logistics companies and related SMEs will be strengthened. The goal is for supervisors to manage people, work processes, change, and competence development more effectively and systematically, while making better use of digital tools and data in their leadership practices. Enhanced competence will also support supervisors’ well-being, work ability, and long-term employability.