Circular Skills for Sustainable Agriculture: A New Competence Matrix for Industry Experts

The transition from a linear agricultural production model to a circular one represents one of the sector’s most significant challenges today. According to the latest Eurostat report on farm structure (2023), only 8.7% of European farmers have completed comprehensive agricultural training, highlighting an urgent need for skill development in the sector. Technological developments, climate issues, and sudden scenario changes require workers and farmers to update their knowledge urgently. The transition to circular economy practices in agriculture needs well-trained professionals to manage innovation and sustainability in production processes.

In response to this challenge, the European project ACE-EX (Agriculture Circular Economy – Expert), funded by the Erasmus+ program and led by the Higher Technical Institute for Life Technologies (ITS NTV), has developed an innovative competence matrix to train experts in circular economy applied to agriculture. EUROMASC (NO), together with an international consortium of 20 partners, coordinates this work, which systematically defines the knowledge and skills needed to implement circular practices in the agricultural sector.

Available in eight European languages, the matrix spans two levels of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF 4 and 5) and covers nine fundamental areas, from circular economy principles to technical skills, innovation management, and energy efficiency. A particularly innovative aspect includes the integration of transversal skills such as systems thinking, change management, and youth engagement – essential elements to guide the transition toward more sustainable practices.

The tool addresses a concrete sector need: according to Eurostat, very few farm managers in the EU have completed comprehensive agricultural training, with most relying solely on practical experience. Training institutions and companies will use the competence matrix to structure targeted training paths, facilitating the recognition of acquired skills and promoting professional mobility in the sector.

European collaboration has produced a tool that reflects the continent’s diverse agricultural realities, from the Mediterranean to Nordic regions. As the project document emphasizes, the successful transition to a circular economy in agriculture will depend on our ability to train prepared professionals who can lead sustainable innovation in European agricultural enterprises.

Link to download the document:    
https://docsend.com/view/aa5qp3mznxbduwfg