The Research and Innovation perspective
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and DG Research & Innovation (DG RTD, European Commission) will organise a one-day conference, in Brussels on 8 November 2023, to discuss the need for new skills in the areas of clean energy and transport focusing on skills development through R&I activities. Horizon Europe supports skills development to make the EU’s green and digital transitions successful, in line with the objectives set in the European Skills Agenda for 2025 and against the background of the European Year of Skills.
In the energy domain, the EU renewables sector today needs over 1.2 million skilled workers, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, this will lead to an enormous demand for EU action to ensure the required skills. The numbers are expected to increase annually until 2050. Research and innovation also plays a central role in developing new skills in the energy sector.
The transport sector now employs over 15 million people in the EU. This sector is rapidly evolving, changing, and being influenced greatly by the development of automation, electrification and greening of transport. The full decarbonisation of the transport sector can only be successful if this goes hand in hand with a workforce that has the right skillset.
The conference will bring together relevant stakeholders, notably civil society organisations, education networks, academia, industry, research organisations and European institutions to discuss the contribution of research and innovation activities to the skills agenda for Europe. The following questions will be central during the event:
- How can the European Commission, through its research and innovation policies and programmes, stimulate the development of a workforce with the right skillset for the decarbonisation of the energy and transport systems?
- How can we attract the best talent in the energy and transport sector and share experiences through research and innovation activities?
- How can we ensure development of necessary knowledge and competencies, especially in the field of green skills and training?