Persistent lack of skilled workers could threaten EU clean energy transition

More than 140 experts and policy makers from across the energy, employment and education sectors met in Madrid for a two-day Concerted Action Joint Workshop on workforce shortages and upskilling for the clean energy transition, organised in the context of the European Year of Skills. 

The workshop was hosted by the three Concerted Actions of the Energy Efficiency Directive (CA EED), Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (CA EPBD) and Renewable Energy Directive (CA RES), which are supporting the transposition and implementation of key EU energy policies at Member State level.    

Against a background of increasing skilled labour shortages and pressure for a clean energy transition, participants heard that more needs to be done to make the sector an attractive career option for young people.  

The workshop was told that an estimated three to four million construction workers in Europe need to develop further skills - a massive challenge - for having the capacity to deliver on EU energy policy goals. However, while this transition is a major challenge, it also presents many opportunities for getting people into employment.   

Presentations by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP), and Fundacion Laboral de la Construcción highlighted ongoing initiatives to address labour and skills needs, such as the European Construction Blueprint which looks at specific skills and training needed for the construction sector. 

In addition, the importance of joining forces between policy makers at national level and integrating different policy objectives was underlined to address the skills gap timely and efficiently. In this context, several EU funding programmes provide direct support to Member States, for example Erasmus+ and LIFE Clean Energy Transition (CET) through the BUILD UP Skills initiative. It notably supports national project teams to map skills gaps and develop national roadmaps to overcome skills shortages. 

The BUILD UP Skills initiative has been supporting the development and testing of innovative approaches to increase skills for the green energy transition of buildings since 2011 and has a significant toolbox of resources, case studies and tools. Several examples from national initiatives, policy approaches and support programmes were presented during the conference, together with relevant EU-funded projects, including Horizon 2020 and LIFE CET programmes. 

The workshop also explored related topics such as skills for Energy Performance Contracting, cross-border mutual recognition of relevant qualifications and action plans and training programmes for the heat pump sector.  

For the public summary of the workshop and to download individual presentations, visit the Concerted Action Energy Efficiency Directive website.