ESTEP's vision for the European steel industry up to 2030 foresees major changes, many of which will be driven by new scientific and technological discoveries. New products and new processes will appear in response to evolving customer demands and ESTEP members' determination to contribute to preserving the natural environment. 

At the same time, the steel industry workforce is undergoing an unprecedented change. The age structure in most European steel-producing companies is such that more than 20 % of the workforce will have left the industry in the period 2005-2015, and close to 30 % will leave during the following decade up to 2030. 

So if the transformation of the European steel industry is to be led by science, technology and innovation, then the industry needs the people who will drive these changes and ensure their success – the steelworkers of the future. 

The activities of ESTEP's Focus Group 'People' contribute to ensuring the supply of the highly-skilled scientists, technologists, innovators and managers who will take the European steel industry forward and provide new sources of competitive advantage. It does this by promoting an education system that has the capacity to educate and train new workers, and offer existing workers the lifelong learning opportunities to maintain excellence. The group also works to improve health and safety within the industry, giving a high priority to the 'zero-accident' objective and promoting new technologies and working practices to ensure safe working environments.