The European electricity sector plays a crucial role in achieving the EU’s objective of climate neutrality by 2050. Meeting this goal will require massive investment in infrastructure, innovation, and new technologies. However, without a sufficiently trained and qualified workforce, Europe risks running into major bottlenecks. Labour shortages, skills gaps and insufficient anticipation of change remain a missing piece in EU decarbonisation efforts.

Two years ago, in response to these challenges, the European social partners in the electricity sector launched the EU funded joint project “Towards Attractive Workplaces and a Just Transition in the European Electricity Sector”.

Now, two years later, the European social partners - industriAll Europe, EPSU and Eurelectric - came together in Brussels for the project’s final conference. The project aimed to develop a shared diagnosis of the main challenges and to formulate recommendations for policymakers and national social partners.

During the conference, Beatrice Leipute and Martyna Banytė from Visionary Analytics presented the project’s final report, which focuses on three interlinked themes:

  • Just Transition
  • Gender Equality
  • Knowledge and Skills

The report highlights key challenges, provides practical guidelines, and showcases best practices from trade unions and employer organisations across Europe.

Fabio Domanico, Deputy Head of Unit for Fair Green and Digital Transitions, Research at DG EMPL, delivered a keynote address in which he presented the European Commission’s approach to Empowering Europe’s energy transition. He outlined the latest labour market trends in the energy sector, highlighted ongoing EU initiatives, and underlined role of skills development and social dialogue in ensuring a successful and just transition.
The conference also featured dedicated panel discussions with experts invited to address each of the three themes in depth.

Judith Kirton-Darling, industriAll Europe's general secretary stressed that  “Reaching climate neutrality by 2050 will only be possible if workers are at the centre of the transition. This report shows that social dialogue, gender equality, and skills development are not optional - they are essential for a sustainable and attractive electricity sector.”"


Read the full report here