In early 2010, the EC and the ILO concluded a joint management agreement to enhance cooperation and knowledge sharing in the field of early identification of skill needs for mutual benefit, so that both can add value to their own activities and existing research by drawing on state-of-the art knowledge and good practices. Aim of the initiative is the better cooperation and enhanced understanding of labour market, social, economic and environmental issues through which EC and ILO can improve the design of their policies, programmes and tools for early skills identification in order to better serve the target of reduction of greenhouse gases.

In the workshop were presented two studies:

The first one is a Comparative analysis of methods of identification of skills needs on the labour market in transition to the low carbon economy. The study reviews models and approaches in identification of occupations and skills needs on the labour market resulting from the impact of transition to the low-carbon economy. It proposes quantitative and qualitative methods and institutional mechanisms. It also signals the need for adjustment to various requirements: national, sectoral, European/supernational ones.

The second study is a Study of occupational and skill needs and related strategic human resource development resources in two sectors: renewable energy and green building.

Attendants to the workshop were among others ILO and EC officials (DG Employment, DG Education, DG Energy), CEDEFOP, UNESCO, UNEP, OECD, the European RE Federations, REN Alliance, the European Construction Industry Federation, the European Federation of Public Service Unions, the European Metal Workers’ Federation, the International Union of Architects and the European Education Taskforce Green Building Council.