The Future training gap indicator measures the expected growth in qualification requirements across sectors and occupations and assesses the upskilling challenge it presents for workers. It combines the Skills forecast data with the second wave of the European skills and jobs survey (ESJS2). The indicator includes two key metrics: the Qualification demand growth rate (based on Skills forecast) which estimates the weighted shares of qualification levels, and the Perceived training need/gap (based on ESJS2), which measures the share of workers who feel a significant or moderate need to improve their skills but did not participate in any training over the past 12 months. The main indicator of Future training gap presents these measures in a comparable format, ranging from -1 to 1 (the closer to 1 the larger the share). 

This approach helps to identify: (i) which sectors and occupations are expected to experience the most significant changes in qualification requirements, and (ii) where workers face difficulties in meeting rising skill demands. Interpreting the data in a combined approach can reveal sectors and occupations where qualification needs are anticipated to increase significantly, while workers report a large training gap. This may suggest a pressing need for improved access to training to help workers better cope with these changes in the future.