Challenges and Opportunities Based on Industry 4.0 Policies in Brazil, India, Japan and Sweden

Abstract Policies influence countries' economic sectors, such as the industrial sector. Industry 4.0 (I4.0) demands employees upskilling and can impact unemployment and HIE curricula. The paper proposes to bring forth, analyse engineering education related to I4.0 policies. The paper compares policies related to Workers 5.0 discussing education and training for both regular students and employees (white and blue collars), from polar cases representing emerging countries (Brazil & India), and developed countries (Japan and Sweden). These countries have created policies to become independent and improve their innovation ecosystem. The I4.0 literature and white paper indicate different country-specificities. The paper explores research gaps related to I4.0 and its effect on workers’ competencies; which factors to consider in Human Resource Management; understanding impacts on country education. Comparing how these different countries adjust to I4.0 may contribute to manufacturing sectors addressing this new digital context, contributing to theoretical advancement and informing policy and practice in higher education. The findings indicate education and upskilling concerns, and these countries are reviewing their Engineering Education towards increased digital transformation in the whole society.