In order to develop a strategic approach to keep the European agricultural sector competitive and sustainable in the long term, a clear EU sectoral skills strategy is needed, that would improve risk management, stem the loss of practical skills, improve understanding of new technologies, develop business and leadership skills and bring about a more coordinated approach to skills development. Bio-economy, by linking the various actors of the value chain, by making use of new circular economy model, allows to tackle many of the challenge’s agriculture is facing, but proper skills strategy is missing to allow farmers to address it successfully.
FIELDS will rely on previous activities and competences represented in the large consortium to define a sectoral skills strategy. It will also rely on two on-going activities led by BIC (Bio-Based Industries Consortium) and CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industrie), which aim at identifying skills needs and skill gaps in the bio-economy sector and the forestry sector as well as soft skills, sustainability and digitalization.