Session 5: New Skills for the Green Economy

1. The triple EU challenges of sustainable energy use, energy security and competitive energy prices necessitate massive investments in Europe's energy system as well as substantial efforts in research, development and innovation.

An important element often overlooked by decision makers when addressing these challenges is: how do we ensure the quantity and quality of enginerial skills needed in order for Europe's energy revolution to happen? Skilled people are in strong demand in all areas of the energy mix - in the renewable energy area as well as in the fossil fuel energy areas, whose share will remain important for decades. Not only engineers are lacking, but also skilled blue collar workers. This challenge is also an opportunity, because demand for a broad range of skilled workers could diminish unemployment. What can politics and society do to increase the popularity of these jobs? How can we enhance the importance of sustainability in the talent pipe-line?