PRESS RELEASE

The European Wood Policy Platform Calls For Action To Build A Resilient and Skilled Work Force

VIENNA, 11 JUNE 2025 — The European Wood Policy Platform (WoodPoP) just published a Policy Brief outlining how Europe’s wood-based sector can strengthen its role as a key driver of the green transition through strategic investment in skills and education. As skill requirements evolve and its ageing workforce is leaving the field, the wood-based industry is working to ensure it has the talent and expertise needed to play its role as a key driver of the green transition.

With over 8 million people employed across Europe, the wood-based sector is central to building a sustainable, innovative and inclusive society. Meeting the evolving demands of digital innovation, eco-design, and circular construction presents a significant opportunity to revitalise the sector and gain in momentum.

The Policy Brief sets out a roadmap to transform the sector through:

  • Modernised vocational education and training (VET), combining traditional expertise with digital innovation;
  • Pan-European recognition of skills and microcredentials, paving the way for cross-border career mobility;
  • Partnerships in education, encouraging upskilling and reskilling through hands-on, interdisciplinary learning;
  • Inspiring youth, making wood-based careers attractive, future-proof, and impactful;
  • Building on strong foundations, by expanding and enhancing Europe’s well-established education and research infrastructure, ensuring high-quality and well-equipped programmes are available at all levels, from primary to tertiary education.

WoodPoP calls for financial and non-financial support at national and EU levels to build a resilient, dynamic workforce, capable of meeting the climate and construction challenges of tomorrow.

For further details, the Policy Brief is available here: https://woodpop.eu/projects/future-skills-wood-sector/

About WoodPoP

The European Wood Policy Platform (WoodPoP) is a collaborative initiative that brings together stakeholders from across the wood value chain to support the development of sustainable, evidence-based policies in Europe. WoodPoP aims to harness the full potential of wood in building a greener, fairer, and more innovative future for Europe.

Contact

Andreja Kutnar
Co-Lead, Technical Working Group ‘ Education & Vocational Training’ and Director, InnoRenew CoE

email: andreja(.)kutnar(@)innorenew(.)eu

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