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Skill Needs for Sustainable Agri-Food and Forestry Sectors (II): Insights of a European Survey

Author

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  • Ana Ramalho Ribeiro

    (ISEKI-Food Association, Impacthub Vienna, Lindengasse 56, 1070 Vienna, Austria
    Research Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society (CERNAS), Coimbra Agriculture School, Bencanta, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Billy Goodburn

    (Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society, The Plunkett House, 84 Merrion Square, DO2 T882 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Luis Mayor

    (ISEKI-Food Association, Impacthub Vienna, Lindengasse 56, 1070 Vienna, Austria)

  • Line F. Lindner

    (ISEKI-Food Association, Impacthub Vienna, Lindengasse 56, 1070 Vienna, Austria)

  • Christoph F. Knöbl

    (ISEKI-Food Association, Impacthub Vienna, Lindengasse 56, 1070 Vienna, Austria)

  • Jacques Trienekens

    (Business Management & Organisation Group, Social Sciences Department, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706KN Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Daniel Rossi

    (Confagricoltura, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 101, 00186 Roma, Italy)

  • Francesca Sanna

    (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Science (DISAFA), Università di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini, 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy)

  • Remigio Berruto

    (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Science (DISAFA), Università di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini, 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy)

  • Patrizia Busato

    (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Science (DISAFA), Università di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini, 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy)

Abstract

The agri-food and forestry sectors are in transition towards more sustainable, green, and innovative systems tackling several challenges posed by globalization, governance, and consumers’ demands. This transition to novel processes, markets, and businesses requires skills and competences to prepare the new generations and upskill the actual workforce. The purpose of this paper was to assess the skills and knowledge needs of future professionals in the agri-food and forestry sectors, from European stakeholders’ perspectives, by using a European questionnaire. Overall, respondents highlighted the importance of improving sustainability and soft and digital skills. In particular, food safety management and control; quality management and assurance of processes and product; efficient use of resources and organization; and planning, visioning, and strategic thinking skills ranked higher. In almost all countries, respondents had the perception that neither formal nor non-formal training covered training needs, though formal training was more suited to address education requirements. Both for organizations and individuals, it is far more relevant to have skills to perform than to have training recognition. The outcomes also provide findings that can be used to help develop updated curricula that meet the sector’s needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Ramalho Ribeiro & Billy Goodburn & Luis Mayor & Line F. Lindner & Christoph F. Knöbl & Jacques Trienekens & Daniel Rossi & Francesca Sanna & Remigio Berruto & Patrizia Busato, 2023. "Skill Needs for Sustainable Agri-Food and Forestry Sectors (II): Insights of a European Survey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-22, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4115-:d:1079088
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    References listed on IDEAS

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