LLLP has been engaged in the FIELDS project since 2020, supporting the partnership in connecting their work at national level with the European policy landscape. One of the activities focused on this level was the development of a European Strategy for skills enhancement in the agriculture, food industry and forestry sectors. The strategy includes key aspects and general guidelines that will be further completed by roadmaps at a national level in order to support knowledge transfer and skill creation for these sectors. The strategy is also in line with the European Skills Agenda of the European Commission.
The Strategy was fed by the different deliverables of the project such as the skills needs survey and focus groups implemented in each project country (Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain), the development of different scenarios based on trends analysis. Partners also conducted consultations with experts in the FIELDS project and participants in external foresight exercises (European Green Deal implementation on employment and skills from the agri-food sector perspective, performed by CEDEFOP in 2023 and European Commission study on Promoting Education, training and skills across the bioeconomy in 2022).
The document addresses 6 key elements: training needs, regulatory systems, funding, future VET programmes, VET ecosystem governance and monitoring the VET ecosystem. The second section of the report presents results of the trend and scenario analysis and then moves to some of the key skill needs. The following sections cover labour market requirements and developments in the VET system; the regulatory frameworks and funding challenges as well as key elements and prerequisites of future VET programmes. Closing the report, there is a section on a governance strategy for the European skills ecosystem and concludes with key elements of an overall European skill strategy. You can read here the full report and here the summary!
Flexible learning opportunities and more
One of the key elements of the project was the co-development of curricula and learning opportunities that address current needs and looks forward to upcoming knowledge, skills and attitudes needed in the agri-food and forestry sectors. In the Learning Management System, learners can find opportunities tailored for farmers, foresters, students, and professionals. The platform aims to offer personalised learning journeys, cutting-edge modules, and sustainable practices. You can read more about the platform here and sign up and start learning here!
Partners have also been focused on the work around building a community as part of the Agri-food Pact for Skills. The Pact for Skills is a strategic response to the rapidly changing global landscape. It was launched by the European Commission, this initiative aims to identify and address current and future skills needs as well as unite efforts, promote lifelong learning and upskilling and reskilling. The agri-food part for skills was born out of the close cooperation among various DGs of the European Commission, specifically by DG GROW, DG EMPL, and DG AGRI, and project partners, led by FoodDrinkEurope and Copa-Cogeca. Read more here!