The role of the European wood sector in driving the green and digital transformation of the construction industry was the focus of a high-level conference recently held in Brussels. The event brought together more than 150 participants, including EU policymakers, European Commission officials, industry leaders, and researchers, to discuss how the sector can contribute to Europe’s sustainable future.

Among the organisations actively contributing to the conference was Holzcluster Steiermark, a partner of the HABITABLE project and co-organiser of the event. During their intervention, they emphasised the urgent need to upskill and reskill the current workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving construction and habitat sector. As a concrete example of innovation in vocational training, the HABITABLE project was presented as a model initiative, showing how education can be aligned with the sector’s twin green and digital transitions.

The conference highlighted the critical importance of equipping workers with new competences and creating training pathways that are relevant to emerging challenges. In this context, HABITABLE’s European network of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) is playing a key role in shaping the future of skills in the Habitat sector.

By promoting cooperation among VET institutions, companies and regional actors, HABITABLE supports the development of forward-looking training solutions, contributes to sectoral innovation, and fosters a more sustainable, inclusive and future-ready workforce across Europe.