In May, partners implemented the CirCLER questionnaire to identify and validate the competencies required for a highly demanded new role in the furniture sector: the Circular Economy Transition Manager (CETM). The survey engaged over 150 experts from across the EU, including circular economy specialists, furniture sector employers and employees, and VET/Higher Education professionals.

This survey marks the first crucial step in the CirCLER project, aimed at defining the CETM job profile, developing the associated curriculum, and creating a training toolkit to address existing skills and knowledge gaps in the EU.

Next, partners will host an online workshop with at least 25 experts from the furniture sector and circular economy, both internal and external. This workshop will validate the survey results. Participants will analyze and discuss the survey findings, leveraging their diverse expertise in targeted brainstorming sessions. These discussions will focus on the most critical survey results to identify pressing SKC (Skills, Knowledge, and Competence) needs and VET (Vocational Education and Training) provision gaps in the partner countries and the EU at large.

The outcomes of both the survey and the workshop will inform the identification of CETM tasks, subtasks, and related SKC needs, providing essential inputs for the preparation of the CirCLER curriculum.

Project CirCLER funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.