Search

This is the Final Report of the study on "Promoting education, training and skills across the bioeconomy" conducted by Deloitte, Empirica and Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini Srl SB (FGB), mandated by the European Commission's DG Research & innovation (DG RTD). The study assesses the current and future (2030 and 2050) needs for professional profiles and skills, bringing together a quantitative forecast exercise and a qualitative 'foresight' activity, which incorporates expert insights on the future of the bioeconomy. This assessment is compared against the current education and training provision in the bioeconomy at three levels: higher education, vocational education and training, and entrepreneurship training. This comparison highlights key unmet training needs that need to be addressed to realise the opportunities that the bioeconomy can provide in the future. Recommendations are provided for each of the education levels to address these skills needs, including model curricula which draw on case studies of good practices. These recommendations cover both the content of model curricula, as well as approaches to developing and updating programmes to meet the changing needs of the bioeconomy. [This report was prepared by Deloitte, empirica, and Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini Srl SB (FGB). For "Promoting Education, Training and Skills across the Bioeconomy: Strengthening Sustainability and Circularity in Bioeconomy Education and Training across Europe to Meet the Ambitions of the European Green Deal. Policy Brief," see ED624063. For "Promoting Education, Training & Skills in the Bioeconomy: Higher Education," see ED624064.]

The bioeconomy, as a catalyst for systemic change, tackles the economic, social and environmental aspects of the European Green Deal, seeking new ways of producing and consuming resources while respecting our planet's limits and moving away from a linear economy based on extensive use of fossil and mineral resources. As defined in the European Commission's updated Bioeconomy Strategy of 2018, the bioeconomy covers "all sectors and systems that rely on biological resources (animals, plants, micro-organisms and derived biomass, including organic waste), their functions and principles. It includes and interlinks land and marine ecosystems and the services they provide; all primary production sectors that use and produce biological resources; and all economic and industrial sectors that use biological resources and processes to produce food, feed, bio-based products, energy and services." The transition to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy will be achieved through the five goals of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy: Ensuring food and nutrition security; Managing natural resources sustainably; Reducing dependence on non-renewable, unsustainable resources; Limiting and adapting to climate change; Strengthening European competitiveness and create jobs. This transition presents opportunities for jobs and economic growth. In particular, the Bioeconomy Strategy forecasts that one million new jobs could be created by 2030, supported by the "strong and fast-growing start-up ecosystem in the biotechnology sector". [This report was prepared by Deloitte, empirica, and Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini (FGB). For "Promoting Education, Training and Skills across the Bioeconomy. Final Report," see ED624066. For "Promoting Education, Training & Skills in the Bioeconomy: Higher Education," see ED624064.]