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The transition to a circular economy is one of the biggest challenges for Flanders, but at the same time it also offers many opportunities. This transition will also impact the labour market: new jobs will appear that we can't imagine yet, existing jobs will change, and some will disappear.
By striving toward a well-trained and skilled workforce, we can foster innovation and shape the circular future.
Support and inspire
The strategic lever Jobs & Skills is steered by the Department of Work, Economics, Science, Innovation and Social Innovation. This lever is intended to support the various strategic agendas in their transition to a circular economy.
In addition, the lever aims to inspire the various strategic agendas with initiatives that contribute to the broader transition to a low-carbon society:
skills forescasts;
opportunities for collaboration with the social economy;
initiatives from other sectors (e.g., textiles) and innovation actors (such as living labs Industry 4.0 and spearhead clusters);
keeping the partners of Circular Flanders informed or consulted on relevant ongoing research.
Working together for a circular FlandersĀ
Working together for a circular FlandersĀ
Working on the right conditions for green jobs and skills is not a stand-alone policy initiative, nor something you can do on your own. For the best outcome, there needs to be coordination with ongoing initiatives within and outside the 'work and social economy' domain. Examples include the skills forecasts, the STEM Agenda 2030, actions by sectors and sectoral social partners, and the lifelong learning action plan.
The strategic lever 'Jobs and Skills' consists of members representing the following organisations, among others:
Agoria, AHOVOKS, Constructiv, Department of the Environment, Sustainable Education Point, Department of Education and Training, Embuild, King Baudouin Foundation, KU Leuven, Syntra, Syntrum, VDAB, Circular Flanders, VLAIO and VLOR.
Circular coursesĀ
Circular coursesĀ
Within the strategic lever Jobs & Skills, we collect information about training around the circular economy. Not a complete overview, but a starting point for workers, students and job seekers who want to deepen their knowledge on the subject. Are you organising your own training with a link to the circular economy? Let us know.
Training courses
Looking for a circular training course or programme? Start your search here with a selection of courses for students and professionals as well as materials for teachers.
For students - Secondary education offers several courses that prepare you for a circular occupation or lead to a job where you can help build a circular Flanders. Have a browse through the Education Selector.
For employees - Ask your HR manager or supervisor about circular training courses or find out if your sector fund offers any. Susterra.pro has an overview of training opportunities relating to sustainability in Flanders and the Netherlands. Also check out the Syntra and Public Employment Service of Flanders websites.
For job seekers ā Syntra and Public Employment Service of Flanders offer an online circular business strategies training. You may qualify for free or low-cost training. Susterra.pro has an overview of training opportunities relating to sustainability in Flanders and the Netherlands.
More courses
Want to learn more about circular economy and how it is making a difference in various sectors? One of these courses could be right up your street.
Circular construction expert - Postgraduate course for those active in the construction industry who want to learn how to overcome circular challenges.
Circular lab - Postgraduate course for employees, entrepreneurs and students who want to broaden their knowledge about sustainability and the new economic conceptual framework.
Circular economy - Postgraduate course for those with a bachelor's or master's degree in economics or legal studies who want to learn how to support businesses in making the transition to a sustainable economy.
Sustainable plastics in a circular economy - Postgraduate course for engineering majors who want to learn how to address circular challenges.
People- and environmentally friendly building and living - Postgraduate course for construction professionals and employees involved with policy-making for housing issues or who act as liaisons.
Ecodesign - A concise update for product designers on sustainability, product development and ecodesign tools who want to learn how to incorporate environmental considerations into all phases of a design.
BanaBa circular business strategies - An elective course within Advanced Business Management for those who enjoy lateral thinking and want make a positive impact on society.
Bootcamp circular innovation manager - Course for employees and entrepreneurs who want to know how to translate the circular economy into new business models, products and services.
Learn more
Learning hub
Want to learn about the circular economy or delve into a circular topic? Here you will find everything you need to boost your knowledge. From bite-sized workshops and online learning materials to clear infographics. Take advantage of it.
Training programmes
Circular Ambassador Programme
In addition to knowledge of the circular economy, skills are needed to turn this knowledge into concrete action, and bring about change within organisations. With this approach in mind, Circular Flanders developed a training programme: the Circular Ambassador Programme (CAP).
Circular work(s)
Circular work(s)
Whereas training helps develop skills for the circular economy, we see in social circular hubs how these skills are applied with local partners in mainstream and social companies.
The social-circular hubs are local partnerships that promote new circular entrepreneurship with a social impact in their region. The partnerships are intentionally diverse, with businesses, social integration companies, city or municipal governments, knowledge institutions, social profit organisations, etc., all on board.
The hubs are the point of contact for local entrepreneurs who want to bridge the gap between circular and the social economy. To this end, they encourage mutual cooperation and innovation and provide their knowledge and network. Most hubs set their sights on a selection of sectors that are important for their area, for example, ICT, textiles or food.
In the publication Unlocking the Social Circular Economy: Value Propositions and Organizational Design of Social Circular Hubs, Wim Van Opstal, Nancy Bocken and Jan Brusselaers map out what makes these hubs so strong and unique in Europe:
- Multi-actor approach: Whereas many European regions focus primarily on technological innovation or scaling up, our hubs put the emphasis on collaboration between different actors. This creates a widely supported and locally embedded circular network.
- Structural collaboration: The hubs combine social objectives with circular ambitions. This model of structural collaboration between the social and circular domains is a powerful example of inclusive innovation.
- Learning network: The King Baudouin Foundation provided support for the hubs through a learning network in which they could learn from each other and address similar challenges together; a unique set-up compared to other European hubs.
Overall, the research results show that the Flemish hubs are unique in their liaison role, their ecosystem rationale and their explicit social added value. As a result, they are playing a pioneering role within the European circular landscape. More information about the hubs can be found on the Circulair Werk(t) overview page.
Want to know more?
Take a look at the website where you will also find the final report of the learning network (2020-2023).
The strategic lever jobs & skills works to meet the needs of the strategic agendas, based on demand.
Working agendas
Working agendas are collaborative efforts that address the circular economy in six themes. For each theme, the partners draw up a flexible plan that includes ambitions, work paths and actions. The working agendas are guided by a public and private leader, supported by a core group.
