Building a Skilled Workforce for Strategic Autonomy: Advancing Circular Economy Preparedness

Practical information

• Composition of the Study Group
• Administrator: Maria LIBERTINI 
• Assistant: Sara RACITI
• Contact : E-mail 

Background

Circularity underpins the transition to a more resilient, sustainable and economically efficient European economy. By reducing material use, extending product lifecycles and scaling high-quality recycling, the EU aims to reduce dependencies and strengthen its strategic autonomy. Circularity also supports innovation in the manufacturing, construction, mobility and digital sectors, helping Europe modernise its industrial base.

The transition from a linear economic model (take, make, dispose) to a more sustainable and resource-efficient one requires not only a shift in business practices and policymaking, but also that workers possess the skills needed to support, implement and drive circular economy initiatives.

This opinion explores how public policies can strengthen the circular economy through the development of the right skills and examines the link between skills, circularity and the EU's strategic autonomy objectives. This is relevant across a wide range of policy areas, including resource efficiency, job creation, energy independence, environmental impact reduction, competitiveness, supply chain resilience and innovation.

While the EESC has produced several opinions on skills and on the circular economy, as well as a dedicated study entitled "Europe’s Circular Economy and its Pact for Skills: Working Together for an Inclusive and Job-Rich Transition?", the role of skills development in supporting the circular economy and advancing the EU’s strategic autonomy and preparedness objectives has not yet been explored in a dedicated opinion. This opinion seeks to fill that gap.