The electricity sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by climate policies, digitalization, and shifting labor market demands. As economies transition to cleaner energy sources, workers and communities that are reliant on traditional energy industries face significant uncertainties. Ensuring that this transition is fair and inclusive—often referred to as a just transition—is crucial to preventing job losses, economic inequalities, and social disruption. At the same time, the sector continues to struggle with gender imbalances, as women remain underrepresented in many technical and leadership roles. Addressing these disparities can foster a more diverse and innovative workforce, ultimately strengthening the industry. Additionally, as new technologies reshape the sector, preparing young people with the right skills and knowledge is vital to ensuring a steady pipeline of qualified professionals who can drive the future of energy.
Happy to announce that our Visionary team started working on a study commissioned by the European Public Service Union (EPSU) on a project titled “Towards attractive workplaces and a Just Transition in the European electricity sector”.
The overall aim of the study is to identify the main challenges and best practices, within the electricity sector in relation to just transition plans, gender equality, and education and provide recommendations and guidelines for social partners in relation to these topics. To achieve the objectives of the study, our team will utilise interviews, focus groups & workshops, desk research, and a final conference for the findings. In particular, the study objectives are to:
- Provide an overview of the main challenges affecting the electricity sector’s contribution to just transition plans & gender equality in the electric, map best practices to support just transition plans, and create guidelines for social partners to create their own and/or contribute to national just transition plans.
- Provide an overview of the main challenges affecting the achievement of gender equality in the electricity sector, map best practices supporting gender equality in the sector, and create a set of recommendations for a European framework of actions on gender equality in the electricity sector.
- Identify the skills and knowledge needed at different education levels to prepare young people for work in the electricity sector, map best practice examples implemented by companies or unions to teach young people about work in the sector, and create guidelines for curricula to increase the attractiveness of the sector.
The project is expected to be finished by February 2026.
