What is like to work in... circular economy

In recent years, with the spread of the green transition, it is impossible not to have heard of the circular economy, that is that model of production and consumption which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible.
Implementing such a virtuous economic model is not at all simple, but given its importance many are studying the most innovative solutions to safeguard the environment and develop the territory at the same time.
The increasing importance of these "new" objectives leads to the birth of new skills or renewed professional profiles.

Analysing the data of Skills Intelligence Emilia-Romagna of the circular economy macrochain (part of the S3 Greentech area of ​​specialisation), it can be observe that, from October 2023 to September 2024, 14.687 online job advertisements were published, i.e. 2,7% of the total online advertisements offered in the regional territory, with an increase of 19,6% compared to the previous year.

The most sought after professional profiles, considering the ESCO level 1 categories, belong to professionals (85,9%), followed at a distance by technicians and associate professionals (8,1%), craft and related trades workers (1,9%).

The five most sought after professional profiles (ESCO level 4) of the Professionals (ESCO level 1)
Let’s delve into the most sought-after skills and profiles at specialised levels.

Taking into consideration only the group of professionals (ESCO level 1), the top five most sought after professional profiles (ESCO level 4) are:

1. industrial and production engineers (47,6% of the total ads in ER);
2. management and organisation analysts (43,4%);
3. chemists (3,1%);
4. chemical engineers (2,8%);
5. engineering professionals (1,1%).

Two out of three of these profiles (management and production engineers and engineering professionals) are of high or medium high difficulty of finding. This means that in Emilia-Romagna there is a high need for industrial and production engineers in the circular economy macro-chain but the profiles necessary to fill this gap are lacking.

In the province of Rimini, specifically, the most sought after higher skills professional (professionals and technicians and associate professionals) profiles (ESCO level 4) are:

1. management and organisation analysts (176 in the last 12 months);
2. industrial and production engineers;
3. chemical engineers technicians;
4. chemical and physical science technicians.

So, if you have a professional profile that falls within those listed above, the province of Rimini could offer great opportunities to you.

If, however, your profile is not yet among the most sought after, but you would like to delve deeper into the circular economy sector, you can find in Emilia-Romagna many training opportunities. These are the best in the region:

Sviluppo sostenibile: l’economia circolare – 32 hours course by Centoform.

International School in Circular Economy Project Management – new course led by the University of Ferrara and partnered with Centoform, Wuppertal Institut, Athena University of Economics and Business, and co-financed by the Region Emilia Romagna that looks at training experts in managing projects looking into the application of effective circular economy strategies.

Gestione strategica dell’economia circolare – 48 hours course by IFOA.