Towards Proactive Higher Education: Drivers for Future-Ready Learning Ecosystems

Higher education is undergoing a profound transformation driven by online and generative learning environment expansion, rapidly evolving labour market demands, and the emergence of new educational providers offering flexible, industry-aligned learning activities. Universities are responding by redesigning and expanding their degree programmes, even though institutional rigidity sometimes limits their ability to change. This study investigates how higher education institutions can shift from reactive adaptation to proactive leadership in shaping the future of skills and jobs. We propose a skills mapping approach, applying text mining to syllabi using the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) classification. The resulting course–skill–occupation map can support communication among stakeholders and update learning objectives, enabling modular curriculum design and micro-credential development. The educational offer of one of the leading technical universities in Europe is presented as a case study. Findings demonstrate how systematic skills extraction can enhance career guidance for students, curriculum development for teachers, and provide actionable insights for upskilling and reskilling.