FESTO LX – Scenario Planning – Didactic 2035

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The world of work and education is changing fast due to technological progress, demographic shifts, and changing expectations of the workforce. For a global provider of technical education like Festo Didactic, these developments create both challenges and opportunities. In this project, we analyze how the environment of technical education might evolve by 2035 and what this means for Festo Didactic. The focus is on understanding future uncertainties and supporting Festo Didactic in preparing for different possible futures rather than predicting one single outcome. 

Goal 

The goal of this project is to develop future scenarios for Festo Didactic in the year 2035. These scenarios aim to show how changes in technology, work culture, and learning attitudes could shape the demand for technical education and training. Based on the scenarios, the project highlights potential risks and opportunities for Festo Didactic and provides strategic recommendations on how the company can adapt its portfolio, business model, and learning solutions to remain competitive and relevant in the long term. 

Methodology 

The project follows a qualitative, multi-step scenario planning approach. First, extensive secondary research was conducted using academic literature, industry reports, and market studies to identify relevant global trends. In total, more than 60 trends were collected and structured using the PESTEL framework. In addition, six expert interviews were conducted with both internal Festo employees and external experts from industry, research, and consulting. These interviews helped to validate trends, identify uncertainties, and gain different perspectives on future developments. All identified trends were evaluated based on their impact, predictability, and relevance for Festo Didactic. The most critical and uncertain trends were then used to define two main scenario axes: the level of technological integration and workforce value orientation. Based on these axes, four consistent future scenarios for 2035 were developed. 

Results 

The main result of the project is the development of four alternative future scenarios that describe possible environments for technical education and work in 2035. The scenarios range from highly automated and performance-driven worlds to more human-centered and balance-oriented futures with lower technological integration. Each scenario highlights different expectations toward learning, work-life balance, technology use, and skill development. Across all scenarios, it becomes clear that flexibility, lifelong learning, and the ability to adapt training solutions to different learner needs will be critical success factors for Festo Didactic. Depending on the scenario, learners may demand high-performance, data-driven training systems or, alternatively, simple, hands-on, and human-centered learning formats. Based on the scenarios, strategic recommendations were derived to help Festo Didactic prepare for multiple possible futures. These include modular learning solutions, a balanced use of digital technologies,and a strong focus on user acceptance, transparency, and practical relevance. 

Cooperation Partner 

Festo Didactic SE 
Esslingen am Neckar 
Germany 
https://www.festo.com/at/de/e/technische-bildung-id_3776/ 

Contact Person 

• Jacob Decker - Jacob.Decker@festo.com 

Student Team 

• Alena Chumrayeva-Yankouskaya 

• Viktoria Dimitrova 

• Juliane Hotter 

• Lukas Rauchenzauner 

• Bojan Vukovic 

Project Manager 

Caroline Fabian, M.Sc., M.Sc. 

Sandra Jeske, M.Sc.