Closing the skills gap: vocational education and training for the circular economy
Updated on 26.06.2023
This report explains why vocational and educational training (VET) is important to ensure that a skilled workforce can thrive in a circular economy (CE). It provides recommendations for governments, educators, industry and civil society, illustrating how VET can help us build circular capacities, leverage existing skill sets and diversify.
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There is a gap between the skills workers have today and the ones they will need to participate in a CE fit for the future. Without proper up- and reskilling, there is a risk of leaving workers behind and limiting society's ability to achieve environmental goals. Therefore, VET is crucial for driving the uptake of circular strategies, promoting equity and closing the skills gap.
Cities and regions can support industry and education providers to develop new skills development training programmes. Public authorities can coordinate between agencies to ensure that all policies are aligned with skills and broader economic development policy and ensure that changes in industrial policy are reflected in education and skills development provision.
Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions
VET will ensure that there is a skilled labour market available at local/regional level to implement Circular Systemic Solutions.
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
built environment, CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
e.g. chemicals, cosmetics, bio-based industries
e.g. electrical engineering, furniture and interior, textile and fashion
e.g. B2B services
e.g. healthcare
including bio-based economy
e.g. re-use of public spaces and facilities in urban areas
digital tools facilitating CE transition
<5 000
large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000
large metropolitan area >1.5 million, metropolitan area 1.5 million-500 000
predominantly urban regions, intermediate and predominantly rural regions, refer to TERCET typology NUTS 3 region
e.g. commercial, residential, service, industrial
