Skills for Critical Raw Materials

Critical raw materials (CRMs) are essential to all industries and stages of the supply chain. They play a vital role in the EU’s competitiveness. Over 30 million jobs in key economic sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy depend on the sustainable supply of CRMs. The pace of technological adoption is faster than the rate at which workers can be trained or reskilled. Skills shortages could affect the ability of European economies to secure and utilise raw materials, adopt new technologies, innovate, and implement sustainability measures, ultimately impacting its overall competitiveness.