Link to the website: https://www.spire2030.eu/sais

The main objective of the project is to develop a blueprint “European Energy Intensive Industry Skills Agenda and Strategy (SPIRE-SAIS)” for an ongoing and short-termed implementation of new skills demands concerning cross-sectoral industrial symbiosis (IS) and energy efficiency. 

Economic, digital and technological developments, as well as increasing energy efficiency and environmental demands, present the European (and global) Industry with many challenges, not least of which is to continuously update the qualification, knowledge and skill profile of the workforce. Against the background of multi-faced, cumulative and constantly changing economic challenges and digital development, human resources policy could only be successful by integrating all the relevant actors and stakeholders. 

A Blueprint strategy for human capital development through a Cross-Sector Skills Alliance on Energy Intensive Industries (EII) will be developed within a (social) innovation process involving a broad range of key stakeholders from the eight sectors of the SPIRE public-private partnership: Steel, Chemicals, Minerals, Non-ferrous Metals, Water, Engineering, Ceramics, and Cement. 

The alliance of related sector associations or technology platforms, training providers, and research partners is characterised by a huge competence based on a long list of projects for energy efficiency, industrial symbiosis (IS) and related Vocational Education and Training (VET). This project will deliver a consolidated approach for addressing industry sectors overarching skills demands and challenges, focusing particularly on the people and skills necessary for industrial symbioses and energy efficiency.

It will develop concrete and practical strategies and programmes (modules and tools) in anticipation of skills demands. Two principal objectives will be supported by an underpinning strategy framework: 

1. Proactive identification of skill needs and demands for building appropriate training and curricula, including new vocational education content and pedagogies across the sectors (thus enabling mutual recognition of skills and training), within both companies and education and training institutions; 

2. Identification, development and promotion of successful sectoral recruitment and upskilling schemes, including first (framework) training tools for i) the efficient management of knowledge towards high skilled workers, and ii) tackling recruitment difficulties (e.g. industry attractiveness) for widening the talent pool and establishing a more diverse workforce.