Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
Ref. Ares(2021)3457376 - 25/05/2021
Webex, 11/05/2021, 14:00-15:30, CAB
/609
Commissioner
Jobs and Social Rights
Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy
ecosystem
, 11/05/2021, 14:00-15:30
Contact of the organizer: DG GROW and DG EMPL
Member of Cabinet in charge:
Main contributors:
Briefing coordination:
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Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
Webex, 11/05/2021, 14:00-15:30, CAB SCHMIT/609
Scene setter
On 11 May, you will co-host together with Commissioner Breton the online roundtable
with the industrial ecosystem “Renewable energy”. This ecosystem comprises electric
motors, engines and turbines, electric power generation, manufacturing and distribution
of gas.
Invited are high-level representatives of the sector – CEOs, sectoral organisations and
trade unions (official European social partners).
The aim of the roundtable is to:
reach top-level agreement that the Pact for Skills provides an essential EU-level
framework to support the major programme of up- and reskilling that the sector
needs. Following this meeting ENER, GROW and EMPL will organise a number
of technical level meetings to develop the industry proposal; and
get clear statements of commitments to finding practical and operational
solutions to the identified skills problems from the participants.
Renewable energy sectors can be classified according to the principal economic
activity and the use of technology – heating and electricity. It is also possible to make a
distinction between renewable energy sources, such as geo and solar thermal
electricity, hydro and wave power, biomass, photovoltaics, hydrogen fuel cells, and
wind farms.
A common attribute to all renewable energy sectors is that employment spans the
value chain from equipment manufacture, project development, construction and
installation, to operations and maintenance.
The employment associated with any individual renewable project tends to be front-
loaded with many engineers, technicians and assemblers needed in the manufacture,
project development and installation phases. This is particularly pronounced in the
case of large-scale electricity generation projects.
For small-scale renewable installations, such as solar thermal, almost half of the
associated jobs are instead associated with retail, installation and maintenance.
Employment in many renewable energy activities is location-specific; jobs arise where
capacity is installed.
The renewables sector in the EU accounted for ov
er 1.5 million jobs in 2018. Despite
the ever-growing share of renewable energy, a downward trend in related jobs
occurred from 2011 onwards, turning to stagnation in the following years. Factors
behind this development include the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the
relocation of some renewables manufacturing capacities outside of Europe, and
changes in subsidy schemes for renewables within the EU. The solid biomass and
wind sectors each supported nearly 25% of total EU renewable energy jobs, with liquid
biofuels, heat pumps, photovoltaics and hydropower following. Over half of these jobs
were located in Germany, Spain, France, the United Kingdom and Italy; in terms of
renewable-energy jobs per capita population, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark and Finland are
in the lead in Europe.
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Commissioner Breton and you will begin with a short introduction explaining the
aims of the Pact for Skills and its importance for the skills development in the
ecosystem.
You will then alternate with Commissioners Breton to ask questions to
participants. If time allows, there will be opportunity for participants to make final
statements. The two Commissioners are invited to conclude the session.
The briefing follows the structure used for the previous roundtables.
Sector information (background) and the
choreography of the meeting as well as
the
list of participants (annex 1) will be provided by DG GROW.
The launch of the Pact for Skills took place on 10 November 2020, during the
European Vocational Skills Week (organised by EMPL) in online format.
Close to 800 people connected to watch the launch of the Pact. Since than we received
some 300 requests to join the Pact.
Table of Contents
Speaking points .............................................................................................................. 4
Defensive points ........................................................................................................... 10
Background .................................................................................................................. 12
Annex 1 (choreography and questions)......................................................................... 15
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Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
Webex, 11/05/2021, 14:00-15:30, CAB SCHMIT/609
Speaking points
INTRODUCTION
I would like to welcome all participants to this roundtable, which is
part of a series of meetings with ecosystems under the Pact for
Skills.
Skills are key for the future.
This is also the case for the renewable energy sector. Investing in
renewables also means investing in its workforce.
The sector employs 1.5 million people in Europe. This is not a lot
compared with other sectors but is expected to see a steep rise
once implementation of the Recovery & Resilience plans of
Member States and other Green Deal actions will take up pace.
Depending on sub-sector, 17-32% of companies in renewables
are experiencing skills gaps, and in technical occupations 9-30%
are experiencing skills shortages. Therefore, the supply of skilled
workforce needs to catch up.
The occupation groups of researchers & engineers and of science
& engineering technicians are the most wanted in the European
renewable energy industry. For example, solar photovoltaic
installers are expected to see 50.5% job growth by 2029.
New occupations are also emerging, for example, biofuels
production managers, solar energy systems engineers or wind
power design engineer.
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Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
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Newer occupations require greater proficiency in analytical skills.
Compared with older occupations, the average importance of
programming and science skills is at least 34% higher among
newer green economy occupations, and the average importance
of mathematics, systems analysis and system evaluation is at
least 25% higher.
While the workforce in the energy industry in general, is male
dominated and is aging, in the renewables industries
women are
better represented.
As for younger people, they are under-represented in the energy
sector but are characterised by a higher willingness to participate
in upskilling and reskilling programmes.
The latter is an important factor in the successful transition of
regions from fossil fuels and energy intensive industries towards a
greener economy. Science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics profiles as well as digital skills are in high demand.
An increase in demand for more multidisciplinary knowledge is
likely in the context of new business models and societal
initiatives.
A highly educated and trained workforce is vital. However, when it
comes to concrete actions it is nearly always considered someone
else’s role to deal with skills.
No individual, no company, no single institution, private or public,
will be able to solve the skills challenge alone.
This is why we need a new look on skills, a new approach.
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The scale of needs call for a skills offensive, where we provide
upskilling and reskilling opportunities for the whole workforce.
But before speaking of a “revolution”, I would like to simply ask
you: as you are already training people, how can we help you to
do it better and to a larger extent?
In the framework of the Pact for Skills that was launched on 10
November last year during the European Vocational Skills Week,
we will try to combine the shared vision described in the Charter
of the Pact with concrete upskilling and reskilling commitments.
The Charter we propose, was developed through consultation with
almost 700 stakeholders and is firmly anchored in the principles of
the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Commissioners Breton and myself work closely together because
skills are an indispensable element of a successful industry
strategy and to a resilient and forward-looking renewable energy
sector.
So what is the Pact? It gathers and inspires commitments from
individual companies and other stakeholders like training
providers or social partners. For example, ecosystems or
institutions can commit to upskill a certain number of employees,
larger organisations could give access to their training facilities for
smaller institutions. Many other commitments are possible.
It will also support large-scale skills partnerships.
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Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
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The on-going Blueprint Alliance for maritime technology, which
also covers skills development for the offshore renewable energy
sector, can be a solid basis to build such a broad partnership.
By joining the Pact, stakeholders will get access to networking,
knowledge, guidance and resources regarding quality upskilling
and reskilling.
We do not have time for half measures. We need to act now.
As you know, the EU is dedicating unprecedented funds to
support the economy.
o There is the
Recovery & Resilience Facility with funding
amounting to EUR 672.5 billion. And the Commission has put
re- and upskilling as one of the flagship investment priorities.
o Then, there is
REACT-EU with €47.5 billion of funds that will be
made available to the Member States and their regions. These
funds
can
equally
support
skills
development
which
accompanies other actions focused on mitigating the negative
impact of COVID-19.
o And, of course, there is the
European Social Fund+ from
which more than EUR 60 billion are earmarked for flexible
opportunities for up- and reskilling and to support companies to
maintain or develop further vocational training.
o It is also worth mentioning the
InvestEU programme with its
social innovation and skills window and the
Just Transition
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Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
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Fund, which aims to ensure that no one is left behind as the
result of moving towards green and digital Europe.
The majority of those funds are “co-owned” by the Commission
and the Member States.
The Commission, for its part, engages actively with Member
States authorities.
I also invite the sector to use this opportunity to work with Member
States and regions to make sure that that the way resources are
spent is done in co-operation with you, the experts in the sector.
So we would like to use this roundtable to hear from you. What
are your key challenges regarding skills? What is your opinion on
the Pact? How you would like to act ? And what type of support do
you consider is needed at EU level?
CLOSING REMARKS
Thank you for your contribution and comments.
I believe that together our efforts will lead to a real paradigm shift
toward continuous up- and reskilling.
Under the Pact for Skills, we can promote a new approach to
managing skills on sectoral and cross-sectoral level, so that large
organisations will invest in skills not only of their employees but
also across the whole sector, in order to support smaller
institutions with less investment capacity.
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Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
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On our side, we are putting together a dedicated support service.
However, this initiative will only work if those on the ground, those
around the table today, also commit to it so I am now looking
forward to see your commitment.
I hope to see the renewable energy ecosystem soon as one of the
inspiring lights of the Pact - with your own ideas and commitments
of how to nurture the skills of the future for your workforce.
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Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
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Defensives points
What is the Commission proposing for large-scale partnerships?
The partners are free to define the most appropriate structure of the partnerships,
their governance, scope and responsibilities, focusing on specific industrial
ecosystem, on a regional level or specific skills challenge.
By joining the Pact, they sign up to the Charter (set of key principles of quality
upskilling and reskilling) and determine key performance indicators (KPIs) which
they would like to achieve and decide how to monitor the process.
Why there is a need for a Charter?
All organisations interested in joining the Pact will be asked to sign up to the
Charter.
The Charter ensures a common understanding of the key principles underlying
upskilling and reskilling activities and help the different organisations rally around
common values and priorities.
It also ensures that the commitments comply with certain quality requirements which
are necessary for true “skil ing for a job”.
Can the sector count on direct financial support from the European Union?
National and regional authorities will manage the vast majority of the available funds
for skills under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and in the next MFF.
The representatives of the sector already now can apply to national and regional
authorities for funds under the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories
of Europe (REACT-EU). The REACT-EU package includes €47.5 billion of additional
funds that will be made available to the 2014-2020 European Regional Development
Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).
From 2021 companies in the sector will be able to apply for funds from ESF+.
Significant part of the €87 bil ion wil be invested in flexible opportunities for
upgrading of skills and sectoral cooperation regarding skills.
The annual Erasmus+ call for proposals has been published in March. The call and
the related programme guide include actions such as the
Centres for vocational
excellence,
Alliances for education and enterprises, or the
Blueprint for sectoral
cooperation on skills.
Is the Pact for Skills a type of Blueprint Alliance for sectoral cooperation on
skills?
No, but a Blueprint Alliance can prepare or support a skills partnership joining the
Pact.
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Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
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The
main objective of the Pact is to mobilise and incentivize all relevant
stakeholders to take concrete actions for the upskilling and reskilling of the
workforce, by pooling efforts and setting up partnerships, also at EU level
addressing the needs of the labour market, supporting green and digital transitions
as well as national, regional and local skills and growth strategies.
The
deliverables of Blueprint Alliances, i.e. sectoral skills intelligence, a sectoral
skills strategy, new occupational profiles, related training programmes and
qualifications, and a long-term plan for mainstreaming these deliverables, are a solid
basis for the work of sectoral skills partnerships under the Pact.
Is there a Blueprint Alliance for cooperation on skills in the renewable sector?
Yes, in the field of offshore renewable energy. The current Erasmus+ call for
proposals for Blueprint Alliances provides for the eligibility of all 14 industrial
ecosystems. So the ongoing Blueprint project could be complemented by a solid
proposal skills development for the onshore renewable energy sector.
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Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
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Background
1. Blueprint for sectoral cooperation on skills “Maritime Alliance for fostering
the European Blue Economy through a Marine Technology Skilling Strategy”
(MATES)
PROGRAMME:
Erasmus+
INSTRUMENT:
Sector Skills Alliances (SSA)
TOTAL BUDGET:
€4.9 mil ion
DURATION:
January 2018 – December 2021 (48 months)
COORDINATOR:
Centro Tecnológico del Mar (Fundación CETMAR), Spain
CONSORTIUM:
17 partners from eight countries
Objectives
MATES’ objective is to develop a skills strategy that addresses the main drivers of
change to the maritime industry, in particular shipbuilding and
offshore renewable
energy. Both sectors are strongly linked and require new capacities to succeed in an
increasingly digital, green and knowledge driven economy.
As a transversal line of action, MATES will carry out a robust dissemination and
outreach plan. This aims to increase the attractiveness of the maritime industry,
particularly careers in the shipbuilding and offshore renewable energy sectors, while
also ensuring future adoption of the strategy.
MATES will validate actions and priorities suggested by the skills strategy through the
setup of 11 pilot case studies. These case studies will test the MATES concepts on
digital skills, green skills, mobility, innovation management, curricula development and
ocean literacy.
Furthermore, the project will widen perceptions of Ocean Literacy initiatives by
embedding an appropriate industrial perspective. It will spread an updated image for
the maritime industry and send out a convincing message concerning the high-tech
and long-term future of the maritime sector.
Expected results and impact
Development of a long-term Strategy and Action Plan to tackle the current and
future skills shortages.
Establishment and involvement of a Europe-wide network of projects, initiatives,
organisations and experts.
Identification of future skills and competence needs and the development of
corresponding training and curricula.
Greater alignment of industry needs and occupational profiles with training and
curricula.
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Validation of training and education pathways for effectively increasing
employability and career opportunities.
Successful completion of 11 Pilot Experiences and identification of
recommendations for the long-term strategy.
2. Pact for Skills – general information
The Commission proposed a Pact for Skills that will help meet COVID-19 challenges
and deliver on the ambitions of the recovery pathway, the EU Industrial Strategy and
the green and digital transition. Industry, public and private employers, social partners,
education and training providers and employment agencies will be called upon to work
together and to create a shared vision and action.
The main objective of the Pact is to mobilise and incentivise all relevant stakeholders to
take concrete commitments for the upskilling and reskilling of people of working age
and, when relevant, pool efforts thanks to partnerships.
The Pact will be implemented (among others) through:
individual commitments of companies, in the same way as the pledges
under the European Alliance for Apprenticeships
the commitment of existing organisations/partnerships: e.g. national/regional
or local (e.g. cities) partnerships based on cluster or territorial skills
strategies; social partners agreements and/or tripartite agreements
the large-scale European public-private multi-stakeholder partnerships, in
some cases, based on the experience of the Blueprints for sectoral
cooperation on skills.
The Pact was launched on 10 November during the 2020 European Vocational Skills
Week. Individual actors and partnerships committed to a Charter and concrete actions.
The Charter was consulted with almost 700 stakeholders.
2. Pact for Skills – the Charter
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Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
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The Charter is a set of principles to be respected by stakeholders when joining the
Pact. The Charter is firmly anchored in the principles of the European Pillar of Social
Rights and supports the goals of the Green Deal and the digital transformation, as set
out in the Commission communication “A strong Social Europe for Just Transitions”.
1. All stakeholders joining the Pact sign up to the Charter and its key principles, which
they agree to respect and uphold.
2. Signatories of the Pact are invited to translate their engagement into concrete
commitments on upskilling and reskilling. Commitments must be in line with the key
principles and can be built around a number of “enablers” that il ustrate concrete
ways of implementing the different principles.
3. Commitments are monitored by at least one key performance indicator, e.g.
number of people taking part in upskilling or reskilling.
Four key principles
Promoting a culture of lifelong learning for all
Building strong skills partnerships
Monitoring skills supply/demand and anticipating skills needs
Working against discrimination and for gender equality and equal opportunities
3. European Skills Agenda
The Agenda is a five-year plan to help individuals and businesses develop more and
better skills and to put them to use, by:
strengthening sustainable competitiveness, as set out in the European Green
Deal;
ensuring social fairness, putting into practice the first principle of the European
Pillar of Social Rights: access to education, training and lifelong learning for
everybody, everywhere in the EU;
building resilience to react to crises, based on the lessons learnt during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
4. What does the European Skills Agenda offer to industry?
In the light of COVID-19, the Skills Agenda will be an important part of the Recovery
Plan and at the same time grasp the opportunities of the digital and green transitions.
A shift in skillsets is required to reap the potential of the green and digital transitions,
and make sure that these transitions are sustainable and fair for all, leaving no-one
behind.
The Skills Agenda proposes a Pact for Skills (Action 1).
Skilling for a Job is another building block of the Skills Agenda and its actions should
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Pact for Skills: Roundtable with the renewable energy ecosystem
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be implemented under the roof of the Pact for Skills. In particular, the following actions
have been designed to raise the interest of the industry and business:
Action 2:
Development of new and strengthening existing skills intelligence
Facilitate access for and dissemination of skills intelligence gathered at
regional and sectoral level, to industry and business.
Identify skills shortages and sectors with growing job opportunities
through the European network of public employment services.
Action 4:
Modernisation of vocational education and training (VET)
Modern, flexible, inclusive, and work-based, in short excellent, VET
systems equipping people with skills for jobs that change through the
green and digital transition (see action 6)
More apprenticeships in companies – Transnational platforms of
“centres of vocational excellence” – Development of European
“vocational core profiles” (with Member States)
Action 6:
Skills to support the twin transitions
Digital education action plan - Digital skills and job service platform - EU
ICT crash courses - European digital skills certificate
European education framework for climate change and sustainable
development - Definition of green core skills - Taxonomy of skills for the
green transition
Action 7:
Increasing
Science
Technology
Engineering
and
Mathematics
graduates and fostering
entrepreneurial and transversal skills
Foster science education in schools - Promote STEM studies and
careers - Promote entrepreneurial skills in education and training
Support networks of aspiring entrepreneurs - Beyond technical skills,
innovative teams need transversal skills like working together, critical
thinking, and creative problem solving – Validation of such skills
Attract highly skilled workers through the renegotiation of the Blue Card
Directive
Action 10:
Micro-credentials
Create statements that acknowledge that a person has acquired a
discrete competence in a particular industry area
Illustrate the proficiency in a particular skill ensuring that the qualification
meets industry-specific needs, is relevant and recognized by future
employers
6. The renewable energy ecosystem – basic information – to be provided by DGs
GROW and ENER.
Annex 1: Choreography of the meeting – to be provided by DG GROW
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