Naumova Ekaterina Vladimirovna and Nurul Mohammad Zayed
Innovation-led productivity is the main source for future growth. The rise of new digital industrial technology is known as Industry 4.0. Industrial companies from all sectors across the globe are getting down to business with Industry 4.0. Over 30 countries have introduced the digital initiatives and the investments are constantly rising. Leading countries benefit from the changing nature of production and are well positioned to increase their share in the future. Industry 4.0 will increase manufacturing productivity, shift economics, foster industrial growth, and modify the profile of the workforce. These trends will imply the rising demand for skills. Education, training and active labor market policies have a crucial role to play in this area. Comparative global positions of the USA, Germany, Japan and Singapore in terms of digital readiness are presented on the backdrop of the fourth industrial revolution. The national programs of industrial digital transformation are analyzed and common features and instruments are revealed. The need for public dialogue and special training programs is underlined. The tendency for greater horizontal and vertical collaboration along the value chains due to digitalization is stressed.