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Brussels recently played host to the European Sustainable Energy Week, a highly anticipated event organized by the EU Commission. The week-long conference brought together various stakeholders, both in person and online, to discuss pressing issues surrounding sustainable energy and the green economy.

On the 20th of June SKILLBILL participated in one of the key sessions at the conference named “Career opportunities in the energy transition: the skills you need for the green economy”. This session aimed to equip individuals and organizations with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in the energy transition era. With a duration of 1.5 hours, the session was attended by 115 individuals on-site and attracted 111 online participants. Notably, the on-site attendees comprised a diverse group of young people, with an equal distribution between men and women.

 

The primary objective of the session was to provide an overview of the essential skills required to excel in the green economy, while also presenting a framework for education and training. To accomplish this, four EU-funded projects, including SKILLBILL, shared their insights on current industry trends, government policies, and the changing job demands and skill requirements resulting from the energy transition. These discussions shed light on specific areas within the energy sector where new jobs and skills will be in high demand in the near future.

Participants gained valuable insights into both technical and non-technical skills necessary for green careers. Skills such as project management and renewable energy analytics were highlighted as critical competencies for the emerging job market. The session also showcased new job opportunities and relevant upskilling and training programs aligned with these career paths. Furthermore, participants explored the use of innovative tools like serious games and augmented reality as effective means of upskilling the workforce and adapting to the digitalization of society.

A practical workshop provided attendees with a hands-on experience of an upskilling journey, demonstrating the importance of continuous learning and professional development in the context of the energy transition. The workshop also connected participants to a repository of relevant resources to support their upskilling endeavors beyond the session.

Within the panel discussion, SKILLBILL’s project coordinator, Ilaria Bientinesi, actively participated in addressing pertinent questions from the public. Mrs. Bientinesi provided an introduction to the SKILLBILL project and elaborated on how it supports the energy transition by upskilling the workforce. Our coordinator also discussed the barriers and challenges faced during stakeholder engagement activities, offering insights into how these obstacles have been addressed and mitigated within the project.

Moreover, the presence of gender issues within green jobs was highlighted and emphasizing also on measures implemented by the SKILLBILL project to promote gender equity in the green economy. The project’s approach to identifying and prioritizing specific green skills relevant to the workforce in the energy transition was also discussed, along with the methodologies and frameworks employed for this purpose.

Collaboration and partnerships were identified as crucial elements for effective upskilling initiatives. Ilaria explained how the SKILLBILL project fosters collaboration among educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and government bodies to ensure a coordinated approach toward upskilling the workforce for the green economy.

The role of lifelong learning and continuous education in preparing individuals for the evolving job market in the energy transition was another topic explored during the session. SKILLBILL representative shared the project’s vision for lifelong learning and emphasized its significance in equipping individuals with the necessary skills to thrive in the dynamic green economy.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the session and delve into the topics discussed, interested readers are encouraged to watch the complete session on the European Sustainable Energy Week’s official YouTube channel.