Unlocking skills and enthusiasm for the green transition

This March edition of our Learning Connects newsletter looks in depth into some of the key initiatives shaping the European Union's commitment to equip people with the skills needed to navigate the green transition, both at home and around the world.

On 20 March, 2024, the EU's Tripartite Social Summit convened, uniting EU institutions and European social partners to discuss: "An economically and socially strong Europe to play its role in the world." The spotlight fell on pressing issues such as skills and labour shortages, which is also addressed by an action plan presented by the European Commission on the same day and aimed at confronting these deficits. Central to this plan is the recognition of the role played by social dialogue and engagement with partners. We share that focus at the ETF which, throughout the last 30 years, has been proactively engaging with social partners from EU neighbouring countries through dialogue and networks.

On the following days – 21 and 22 March – the Pact for Skills Forum took centre stage in Brussels, putting the spotlight on the skills needed to move towards greener societies and economies. Under the guidance of European Commissioners Thierry Breton and Nicolas Schmit, the forum encouraged the drawing up of strategies to develop, attract, and retain a skilled workforce within the EU, with a particular focus on the green transition.

In a leading-by-example finale, this edition of the newsletter examines the ETF's own journey towards a greener future, featuring an interview with Renata Vallome, our greening coordinator. In a thought-provoking interview, Vallome explains the challenges faced by the ETF in moving towards sustainability as an organisation. What emerges as an imperative is encouraging people to change their behaviour so that sustainability can be embedded in all aspects of the ETF's work so that everyone can "walk the walk!".