Serge Linckels, Managing Director of the Digital Learning Hub.
The Digital Learning Hub is a public institution created to contribute to the government’s mission to close the digital skills gap by way of continuing education. They offer highly specialized courses in various sectors of IT to help citizens of the Greater Region reskill and upskill into the digital career of their choice.
Mr. Linckels, Please introduce yourself to our AmCham audience.
I am Serge Linckels, Managing Director of the Digital Learning Hub. I hold an engineering degree in computer science and a PhD in a subfield of AI. With a strong background in teaching and digital education, I am committed to bridging the digital skills gap and preparing individuals for the evolving job market.
Before leading the Digital Learning Hub, I worked as a computer science teacher at Lycée Guillaume Croll and a lecturer at the University of Luxembourg, sharing my passion for technology and innovation. Today, alongside my role as Managing Director, I enjoy demystifying AI as a public speaker and advising on digital transformation.
Please explain the mission and details of the Digital Learning Hub.
The Digital Learning Hub was established in May 2022 by the Luxembourg Ministry of Education, Children, and Youth to tackle the digital skills gap and support workforce transformation. Designed as a hub for digital education, it offers flexible, market-driven training programs that evolve with technological advancements. By ensuring industry relevance through strong partnerships with private sector leaders, the DLH enables direct employability of its graduates. It provides a broad range of IT-related training programs for adults, from short, specialized courses to in-depth learning tracks, across areas such as cybersecurity, programming, AI, data science, and cloud computing.
One of its flagship initiatives is 42 Luxembourg, a peer-to-peer, project-based coding school, designed to produce highly competent software developers without traditional teaching methods. The Digital Learning Hub collaborates with national and international institutions, businesses, and government entities to ensure its training aligns with industry needs.
What opportunities does the government provide to support companies in skilling the workforce and addressing digital transformation challenges?
Luxembourg faces a significant workforce shortage in the IT and technology sectors, impacting companies across all industries. With approximately 4,000 unfilled IT vacancies, businesses struggle to find qualified professionals. To remain competitive and drive innovation, companies must upskill and reskill their employees.
The Luxembourg government’s coalition programme (2023-2028) emphasizes digital transformation and skills development as key pillars of future economic growth. Many ministries directly support companies in this effort through various national strategies and initiatives aimed at workforce development and digital transformation. These include:
The Ministry of Education, Children, and Youth (MENJE) offers a range of initiatives to strengthen digital competencies and workforce adaptability. As already mentioned, the Digital Learning Hub provides flexible training in many domains of IT and technologies, equipping professionals with industry-relevant skills. 42 Luxembourg, a peer-to-peer coding school, offers a unique project-based learning model that prepares software developers to meet market demands. Additionally, through the EU-supported Skills Bridge initiative, the National Centre for Continuing Vocational Training (CNFPC) helps companies by offering targeted upskilling and reskilling programs, enabling employees to transition into new digital roles.
The National Action Plan for Digital Inclusion, led by the Ministry of Digitalisation, ensures universal access to digital tools and training. The initiative provides training in digital literacy, helping individuals and businesses adopt technology effectively. It also supports companies in enhancing their employees’ digital skills, ensuring that businesses can integrate digital solutions and remain competitive. By promoting equal access to digital opportunities, this initiative plays a key role in fostering an inclusive digital economy.
The Fit 4 Digital program, implemented by Luxinnovation under the Ministry of Economy, provides SMEs with tailored digital transformation support. It offers funding and expertise in areas such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, and process automation, helping companies modernize their operations efficiently. Meanwhile, the National Action Plan for Digital Inclusion, led by the Ministry of Digitalisation, ensures that individuals and businesses have equitable access to digital tools and training, reducing the risk of exclusion in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
The Elements of AI initiative, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of State and the University of Luxembourg, is a free online course designed to introduce businesses and individuals to artificial intelligence. The program demystifies AI and explains its practical applications, helping companies integrate AI-driven solutions and fostering a more digitally competent workforce.
The Ministry of Labour, through the Agency for the Development of Employment (ADEM), supports all job seekers in their personal plans for reskilling and upskilling. ADEM closely monitors Luxembourg’s labour market needs through its sectoral studies and directly supports workforce reskilling through certified training programs. The latest study highlights a severe shortage of IT professionals, particularly in software development, cybersecurity, and data analytics. To address this, ADEM collaborates with institutions like the Digital Learning Hub to provide targeted upskilling opportunities, ensuring that job seekers acquire in-demand digital skills.
What exactly are you and your team doing to address the challenges of employers?
The Digital Learning Hub is at the forefront of addressing the challenges faced by employers in Luxembourg by providing flexible, industry-driven training programs. Our key strength lies in our agility and ability to quickly adapt to the evolving needs of the labour market. This is achieved through a close collaboration with the Agency for the Development of Employment (ADEM).
The Digital Learning Hub uses data from ADEM, including their recent sectoral study, to dynamically adapt our training offerings. This ensures that our programs are always aligned with the current employment trends and skill gaps in Luxembourg. For example, the study highlighted severe IT skill shortages, a growing need for cross-functional skills, and regional disparities in digital skills.
By leveraging these insights, the Digital Learning Hub continuously updates its training programs to meet the real-world demands of employers. Our initiatives include tailored training programs in high-demand areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. We collaborate with businesses to ensure our courses are aligned with their specific needs.
The Digital Learning Hub has a team of 25 employees. One department is in charge of the training offerings and the quality of the delivered trainings. We use a network of professional experts who serve as our trainers. Furthermore, we have an IT department that manages our fully virtualized IT infrastructure, allowing us to deploy all kinds of trainings.
Should these activities receive greater attention in public schools? If so, what would you propose and how would you advise to do it?
While the Digital Learning Hub is already a public initiative, integrating more digital skills training in schools is crucial. Schools could benefit from stronger industry partnerships and hands-on learning models, similar to what we offer at DLH and 42 Luxembourg, to prepare students for future digital careers.
As a sub-set of required needs, please identify the extent and criticality of the need for cybersecurity-trained personnel in government and the private sector.
The demand for cybersecurity professionals in both government and the private sector is critical as cyber threats grow alongside digital transformation.
Cybersecurity in Government
Government agencies manage sensitive citizen data and critical infrastructure, making them prime targets for cyber espionage, ransomware, and data breaches. Ensuring compliance with EU regulations (e.g., NIS2, GDPR, AI Act) and protecting national security require skilled cybersecurity experts in risk management, incident response, and system resilience.
Cybersecurity in the Private Sector
Businesses face increasing cyber risks, particularly in finance, technology, and healthcare. A shortage of cybersecurity experts leaves companies vulnerable to phishing attacks, supply chain breaches, and AI-driven threats. Compliance with DORA and the EU Cybersecurity Act further demands qualified security analysts and risk managers.
Bridging the Cybersecurity Talent Gap
Luxembourg must expand training programs like those offered by the Digital Learning Hub, promote upskilling and reskilling, and strengthen industry-government collaboration. Investing in cybersecurity workforce development will safeguard both public and private sectors while reinforcing Luxembourg’s role as a secure digital hub in Europe.
In AmCham, we understand that there is likewise a critical demand for cybersecurity-trained personnel within the police and in the field of defense activities, both within the MOD and NATO. How might you and your colleagues help to resolve these problems?
Cybersecurity training is critical across all sectors, including government, law enforcement, and defense. However, I prefer to focus on the civilian sector, where we are actively involved in addressing cybersecurity workforce shortages through training initiatives.
We welcome any additional sharing of information, advice, and other observations which you are willing to present to our readers.
42 Luxembourg is a tuition-free, peer-to-peer coding school that revolutionizes traditional learning methods. Launched in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Children, and Youth (MENJE), it follows the globally recognized 42 Network model, which prioritizes self-paced, project-based learning over conventional lectures and grading systems.
At 42 Luxembourg, students learn by solving real-world coding challenges, developing problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking skills essential for today’s job market. The program is open to everyone aged 18 and above, regardless of prior coding experience or academic background.
One of its key strengths is its industry-driven approach. Companies actively recruit talent from 42 Luxembourg, recognizing its graduates as highly skilled, autonomous, and adaptable software engineers. The school’s cutting-edge curriculum covers areas such as software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, ensuring that students gain job-ready skills aligned with market demands.
By fostering a collaborative and innovative learning environment, 42 Luxembourg is helping to bridge the digital skills gap and equip individuals with the competencies needed for Luxembourg’s growing tech sector. Alongside initiatives like the Digital Learning Hub and Skills Bridge, Luxembourg is building a strong, future-proof workforce for the digital economy.