Competence Arena – where the industry of the future is shaped

Here, the crucial issues that shape the competitiveness of the industry – today and in the future – are highlighted. For visitors, the Competence Arena is a place for insights, inspiration, and concrete examples of how the manufacturing industry is working to secure the right skills in a time of rapid technological and structural change.

At the arena, you will meet organizations and actors who run projects, collaborations, and initiatives that make a real difference to the development of the industry. Together, they create a knowledge hub in the middle of the trade fair – for dialogue, new perspectives, and future business opportunities.

What do you get out of Competence Arena as a visitor?

Competence Arena is aimed at those who:

• Work in the manufacturing industry and face skills or recruitment challenges
• Are responsible for personnel, training, technology, production, or business development
• Want to learn about specific cases, projects, and initiatives related to the industry's future skills needs
  Are looking for inspiration and new collaborations in skills supply, training, and validation

Here you will have the opportunity to learn how different actors work with skills development in practice – and how this strengthens the competitiveness of industrial companies.

Insights that strengthen the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry

Competence Arena is a lively meeting place where knowledge, experience, and future issues take center stage. The arena is located in Lobby North, one of the fair's largest and busiest areas, making it easy to integrate your visit here with other fair experiences.

Here, natural encounters are created between visitors, exhibitors, and actors working with the industry's long-term skills supply.

Competence – the foundation for the smart, sustainable, and adaptable industry of the future

The industry is facing one of its biggest challenges ever: securing the right skills. Without the right knowledge, the transition will stall—and development will slow down.

At Competence Arena, the focus is on how Swedish manufacturing can become smarter, more sustainable, and more adaptable by having the right skills in the right place.

The arena thus ties in clearly with Elmia Production Fairs' three overarching themes for 2026: Smart industry. Sustainable industry. Adaptable industry.