Insights
Harmonised indicators, grouped into four pillars. Every value shows its numerator, denominator, cycle and caveat.
Perception indicators only — the harmonised matrix carries no employment or headcount data.
High / very high impact of an ageing workforce
66.7% (180 / 270)
+3.0 pp vs 2025 (63.7% -> 66.7%)
METASKILLS4TCLF · Cross-section; 2026 comparable to the 2025 question, independent sample.
Negative / very negative perception of career opportunities by young people
55.6% (150 / 270)
+7.6 pp vs 2025 (48.0% -> 55.6%)
METASKILLS4TCLF · Cross-section; independent samples.
Education / training providers that collect industry feedback
76.6% (72 / 94)
+26.6 pp vs 2024 (50.0% -> 76.6%)
AEQUALIS4TCLF · Base = providers who answered.
Observed demand from job ads and declared gaps from surveys, kept as separate signals.
Job ads mentioning English (ESCO)
30.8% (96 / 312)
snapshot
Skills4Circularity job ads · Partner-collected sample; count per unique ad.
Job ads mentioning teamwork principles (ESCO)
29.5% (92 / 312)
snapshot
Skills4Circularity job ads · Count per unique ad.
Job ads mentioning solve problems (ESCO)
19.9% (62 / 312)
snapshot
Skills4Circularity job ads · Count per unique ad.
Moderate-or-higher digital skills gap in the workforce
69.5% (157 / 226)
+9.0 pp vs 2025 (60.5% -> 69.5%)
METASKILLS4TCLF · Valid base differs from the total N; independent samples.
Problem-solving named as a gap among graduates
64.9% (61 / 94)
+16.9 pp vs 2024 (48.0% -> 64.9%)
AEQUALIS4TCLF · Multi-select question.
AI rated high impact on the future of the sector
60.7% (164 / 270)
+13.4 pp vs 2025 (47.3% -> 60.7%)
METASKILLS4TCLF · Part of a four-technology matrix.
Year-on-year change in the same instrument. Independent samples — not a panel, not a formal trend.
Each line connects two cycles of the same question. The samples are independent — read this as change between snapshots, not a trend line.
| Indicator | Earlier cycle | Later cycle | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| High / very high impact of an ageing workforce | 2025: 63.7% | 2026: 66.7% | +3.0 pp |
| Negative / very negative perception of career opportunities by young people | 2025: 48.0% | 2026: 55.6% | +7.6 pp |
| Moderate-or-higher digital skills gap in the workforce | 2025: 60.5% | 2026: 69.5% | +9.0 pp |
| Significant / complete sector transformation expected | 2025: 59.8% | 2026: 70.0% | +10.2 pp |
| AI rated high impact on the future of the sector | 2025: 47.3% | 2026: 60.7% | +13.4 pp |
| Education / training providers that collect industry feedback | 2024: 50.0% | 2025: 76.6% | +26.6 pp |
| Problem-solving named as a gap among graduates | 2024: 48.0% | 2025: 64.9% | +16.9 pp |
| Workforce trained in new technologies is 30% or less | 2025: 74.2% | 2026: 71.0% | -3.2 pp |
METASKILLS4TCLF and AEQUALIS4TCLF surveys. Comparisons within one instrument only; independent cross-sections.
Urgent training needs from the Skills4Circularity survey, per topic, with the share that finds each topic relevant.
Share of valid responses that rate each topic an urgent training need, with the share that finds it relevant.
| Topic | Urgent | Relevant | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eco-design legislation and regulation — urgent training need | 63.8% | 96.0% | 111 / 174 |
| Sustainable manufacturing legislation — urgent training need | 63.6% | 96.5% | 110 / 173 |
| Life-cycle assessment / environmental footprint — urgent training need | 60.6% | 93.7% | 106 / 175 |
| Efficient production — urgent training need | 58.8% | 92.9% | 100 / 170 |
| Digital Product Passport — urgent training need | 51.7% | 89.0% | 89 / 172 |
Skills4Circularity survey, 183 respondents, December 2025 – January 2026. Urgency among valid responses per topic.