On 8th February, with the support of the Commission, the construction sector launched a skills partnership.

The partnership, under the Pact for Skills, aims to upskill and reskill at least 25% of the construction industry's workforce in the next five years, which corresponds to three million workers. The partnership focuses on skills in areas such as energy efficiency, circular economy and digitalisation. The partnership will thus help ensure that construction sector keeps up with the green and digital transition and achieves the objectives set out in the EU Renovation Wave. While doing so, it will also strengthen the sector's resilience and attractiveness.

Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market, said: "The construction sector is a key economic and social asset for local communities in European regions and cities. Today's partnership for skills with the construction industry will provide better opportunities for lifelong learning, career and digital working practices. While the renovation and decarbonisation of Europe's building stock is a big challenge, this partnership will also allow everyone to seize the business opportunities it represents".

The partnership is part of the wider EU Pact for Skills flagship initiative under the European Skills Agenda, presented in July 2020. It aims to mobilise resources and incentivise all relevant stakeholders to take concrete action to upskill and reskill people, by pooling efforts and setting up partnerships supporting green and digital transitions as well as local and regional growth strategies.

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