Addressing the current and Future skill needs for sustainability, digitalization, and the bio-Economy in agriculture: European skills agenda and Strategy.

The Food 2030 policy highlights challenges in European agriculture, such as globalization, market competition, price volatility, and low crop productivity. Shifting to sustainable farming requires a systemic approach, transforming farmers into “wise managers of natural capital.” New skills in bio-economy, sustainability, and digital technology are crucial. A clear EU skills strategy is needed to address risks, retain practical skills, understand new technologies, and foster business and leadership skills for a competitive and sustainable agricultural sector.

FIELDS will rely on previous activities and competences represented in the large consortium to define a sectoral skills strategy. FIELDS project will also rely on two on-going activities, which aim at identifying skills needs and skill gaps in the bio-economy sector and the forestry sector as well as soft skills, sustainability and digitalization.

Learning Management System (LMS): To meet the dynamic educational needs of farmers, foresters, farm advisors, and students in the agriculture sector, the FIELDS project introduces a Learning Management System (LMS). This platform was created to offer a comprehensive and adaptive training program for individuals involved in agriculture. It houses designed training modules focused on key areas: Bioeconomy, Sustainability, Digitalization, Soft Skills & Entrepreneurship.

The platform offers EQF Level 4 for farmers and foresters, and EQF Level 5 for farm advisors and students, providing a flexible, modular learning experience. Users can tailor their curriculum by selecting and studying specific modules aligned with their needs, contributing to a positive impact on the agricultural and bio-economy sectors.