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New Economy Skills:
Skills for the Maker Economy



W H I T E P A P E R
S E P T E M B E R  2 0 2 6

Images: Unsplash Images. Cover by Accurat.

Contents


Executive summary                                              3

Introduction                                                    4

1 Maker skills are becoming a strategic advantage                     5

2 How future-ready maker skills are built                            11

3  Strengthening the maker skills pipeline                            19

4  Calls to action: five priorities to strengthen maker skills                24

Contributors                                                  28

Endnotes                                                    29





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                                             New Economy Skills: Skills for the Maker Economy   2

Executive summary
The race to build the future physical economy
is becoming a race for maker skills.


 “Maker skills” are defined as the practical, hands-on       in digital skills proficiency is associated with an estimated
 capabilities that power the physical economy. They enable   wage gain of about $3,500 across maker occupations.
 people to construct and install infrastructure, operate
 equipment and machinery, and handle and process material
 resources across key sectors, including manufacturing,  Talent supply is not keeping pace
 energy, logistics, food production and AI infrastructure.

                                              The maker talent pipeline is not keeping pace with
Demand is accelerating               demand. The maker workforce is ageing faster than
                                                       the workforce overall. In Asia, Europe and Northern
                                                     America, those aged 55 and above make up 20–35%
 These skills underpin large parts of the global              of makers. At the same time, too few young people
 e