A new initiative to strengthen Europe’s leadership in innovation and sustainability has officially launched at the EIT Education and Skills Days 2025
The European Advanced Materials Academy is set to train 200,000 learners by 2029, addressing urgent skills gaps across high-tech and sustainable industries.
Driving innovation through skills
Advanced materials are critical to Europe’s targets in areas like energy, mobility, electronics, and construction. These materials not only enable technological breakthroughs but are also essential to the green and digital transitions.
From lightweight composites in electric vehicles to innovative coatings in electronics and sustainable construction materials, the demand for expertise in this field is skyrocketing.
The newly launched European Advanced Materials Academy has been created to meet this demand. By offering targeted, industry-aligned education and training, the Academy aims to equip Europe’s current and future workforce with the skills needed to design, produce, and apply advanced materials across various sectors.
A learning effort
Led by EIT RawMaterials, the Academy is part of a bigger European strategy to remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven global economy. The goal is not only to support the next generation of talent but also to foster lifelong learning for professionals already working in the field.
The Academy will engage learners across all EU Member States through a combination of in-person and online programmes. Its multilingual, modular, and accredited learning solutions are designed to be flexible and accessible, making it easier for individuals from all backgrounds to gain relevant skills.
Training for real-world impact
One of the main features of the Academy is its strong connection to industry needs. Training programmes have been developed in close collaboration with businesses, research centres, and educational institutions to ensure alignment with real-world demands.
Learning pathways include high-demand areas such as:
- Digital materials modelling
- Additive manufacturing
- AI applications in materials science
- Sustainable-by-design innovation
To ensure wide accessibility and long-term impact, the Academy will also offer train-the-trainer programmes and micro-credentials. These features are key to scaling learning opportunities and ensuring knowledge transfer across regions and sectors.
Europe’s industrial leadership
The Academy supports key EU policy goals, including the Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership strategy launched in 2024 and the upcoming Advanced Materials Act planned for 2026. It also plays a central role in the European Commission’s Union of Skills initiative, which aims to prepare the continent’s workforce for a sustainable, inclusive, and high-tech future.
As Europe looks to strengthen its technological and industrial sovereignty, building a skilled workforce is essential. The launch of the European Advanced Materials Academy marks a significant step in that direction, ensuring Europe has the talent needed to lead in materials innovation, green manufacturing, and digital transformation.
With the global race to innovate accelerating, initiatives like the European Advanced Materials Academy are crucial. By training 200,000 learners over the next four years, Europe is investing not just in skills, but in its long-term competitiveness and resilience.
