Bridging the gap: Boosting Europe’s green workforce to keep pace with net zero energy ambitions

Europe's push towards a green energy transition is facing significant challenges posed by a huge shortage of skilled people in net-zero industries like batteries, solar and wind.

The European Commission estimates the battery sector alone will need another 800,000 people to be trained or reskilled by just 2025.

As such, the bloc is investing millions in specialised academies in a bid to address this workforce gap.

The French city of Grenoble was named a European Green Capital in 2022 and is home to one of Europe’s first battery academies - a partnership between companies including local battery manufacturer Verkor, and several other local institutions and laboratories.

"Batteries are brand new, even in Grenoble or France. I’m young so I thought why not throw myself into something new, something which could only bring me good things in the future," said Safila Morales, a student at the Grenoble battery academy.

"In France, it’s a new adventure for us. I think that electricity, especially electric batteries, is the future for all of us," fellow student, Safak Durmaz, told Business Planet. 

Three battery gigafactories are being built in the north of France, including Verkor's new plant near Dunkerque, which will supply batteries for Renault's new Alpine vehicle range.

"Today the knowledge - especially in making batteries - is mainly based in Asia, and in the USA," said Emilie Rondet, project manager at the École de la Batterie. "We lack these skills because the transition is just beginning. So in order for European, [and] French companies to set themselves up in this area, we need to train people with this knowledge and skills."

"The Battery School is a networked school which aims to train young students who are pursuing their