As Europe advances its circular economy goals, this webinar brings together policymakers, educators, and industry to explore how VET programs and certifications can evolve to meet emerging skills and industry needs.
- circular economy | environmental impact | innovation | sustainable economic growth strategy
- Thursday 12 June 2025, 14:00 - 15:30 (CEST)
- Online only
- Live streaming available
Practical information
- When
- Thursday 12 June 2025, 14:00 - 15:30 (CEST)
- Where
- Online only
- Languages
- English
- Part of
- Website
- Event website
- Social media links
Description
The transition to a circular economy is a key priority for Europe’s future. Under the European Green Deal, the objective is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, reshaping industries and driving demand for new skills. As sectors shift towards circular business models, the need for an upskilled workforce becomes critical.
New EU directives, such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), emphasise integrating sustainability into business operations and supply chains, creating both challenges and opportunities for the global workforce. Vocational education and training (VET) providers play a central role in equipping workers with the skills needed to implement circular strategies, comply with evolving environmental standards and foster innovation. However, a significant skills gap remains, with 70 % of companies reporting difficulty in finding qualified workers for green and digital roles.
Ensuring that VET programmes remain aligned with evolving regulatory and market needs is essential to bridging this gap. This webinar will explore how VET systems and certification schemes can adapt to fast-changing requirements, and how multi-stakeholder collaboration can support greener global value chains.
Key discussion points:
- How to integrate circular economy skills into VET curricula
- Adapting certifications to meet emerging policy and industry requirements
- Supporting innovation in the built environment sector through updated training
- Strengthening cooperation between VET providers, policymakers and businesses
Target audience:
- EU and national policymakers working on green skills and circular economy policy
- VET providers and certification bodies
- Industry representatives from sectors undergoing circular transformation
- Labour market and education experts
Programme:
- Keynote speech by a Member of the European Parliament on aligning EU skills policy with the European Green Deal
- Panel discussion featuring policymakers, VET providers and construction industry representatives, sharing good practices and challenges
Moderated by Professor Patrick Paul Walsh, Vice-President of Education and Director of the SDG Academy, SDSN, who will highlight the role of EU-wide green skills certification
This session offers practical guidance for VET institutions, certification bodies, and industry stakeholders aiming to close the green skills gap and accelerate Europe’s transition to a circular economy.