Commissioners Schmit, Breton and Sinkevičius hosted Pact for Skills roundtable with renewable energy stakeholders

Yesterday, Commissioners Schmit, Breton and Sinkevičius hosted a high-level roundtable of the Pact for Skills with renewable energy stakeholders, among which those from the offshore, wind, and solar sectors. This is part of a series of sectoral roundtables to encourage stakeholder involvement under the Pact for Skills. The objective of the Pact is to mobilise all relevant actors – industrial, social, regional and education partners – to assist people in developing the right skill-set for a sustainable, social and resilient recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Partnerships established under the Pact will benefit from Commission support such as a partnership platform and information on EU funding options. Renewable energy has been identified as an important industrial ecosystem in Europe for recovery, ripe enough to sustain partnerships under the Pact due to the strong engagement of energy stakeholders and industrial players, the existence of an ongoing maritime technology Blueprint for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills that will look into an offshore renewables Skilling Strategy, as well as the great potential of the sector to be a driver for the twin, digital and green, transitions ahead. Skilled personnel, equipped with the necessary digital skills alongside technical/engineering competences in assisting and facilitating the transformation of energy systems is of particular interest. The Renewable energy ecosystem will create new opportunities for industry, generate green jobs across the continent, and strengthen the EU’s global leadership in renewable energy technologies. Clean energy is crucial to meeting the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050, as set out in the European Green Deal. The meeting confirmed the significant growth opportunities in this ecosystem, and the crucial need to reskill and upskill workers, including from more traditional industries, to ensure a just transition while avoiding potential skills shortages. Attracting talents and especially women is central to be successful in this endeavour. Announced under the European Skills Agenda in July, the Pact for Skills was launched on 10 November.