JTP Groundwork, a technical assistance tool under the Just Transition Platform (JTP) helps Just Transition Fund (JTF) regions implement their Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs). As part of the second edition of capacity building at EU-level, it delivers 12 technical assistance streams across 16 JTF territories, including the Gotland region in Sweden.
JTP Groundwork: Attracting and training workers for the green transition
- 26 March 2025
Technical Regional Forum brings together labour market experts in Visby
On 12 and 13 March 2025, JTP Groundwork organised a Technical Regional Forum on Gotland in Sweden titled ‘Green transition in uncertain times – Attracting and training workers’, co-hosted by European Commission’s DG REGIO and the Region of Gotland.
The event was organised following JTP Groundwork’s technical assistance to Gotland, which focused on a labour market analysis of the green transition on the island, brought together over 50 participants from public authorities, industry, academia and the European Commission.
The Forum’s purpose was to:
- share the outcomes of the technical assistance, collected in the final report Just Transition on Gotland, Sweden: Labour market consequences of the green transition, with stakeholders from other Baltic and JTF regions in Europe;
- provide space for knowledge sharing and networking on specific challenges of attracting, developing and maintaining skills in peripheral and island communities;
- discuss approaches to anticipating and planning of skills needs for green transition;
- present options for funding of skilling and reskilling of the work force for the green transition.
Regions discussed skills needs and approaches to regional attractiveness
The first day involved interactive discussions on skills needs and development for the green transition, as workshops facilitated the discussion on different approaches related to skills needs projections and planning. Participants also discussed the availability of EU and national funding instruments for skills development.
On the second day of the event, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development presented its Regional Attractiveness Compass, a tool to explore a region’s attractiveness to investors, talent and visitors.
Participants explored factors that affect the attractiveness of a region to potential workers and learned more about how other regions are using local and international labour for large infrastructure projects.
Site visit offers a glimpse into steps needed to decarbonise cement production
The second day concluded with a sight visit to the cement site of Heidelberg Materials in Slite on the East coast of Gotland. The plant manager presented its planned investment in a carbon capture and storage facility that will enable carbon-neutral cement production and require up to 1,500 extra workers.
The event highlighted the unique challenges and approaches of peripheral and island regions when it comes to the labour market planning required to facilitate the green transition. It showcased the key role of local and regional authorities in cooperating with industry to advance skills development and attract workers.
More information
To learn more about JTP Groundwork and the outputs produced during this technical assistance, visit our website. If you are interested in receiving support, subscribe to our newsletter for news on the next call for expressions of interest in 2025.
