Croatia requires a workforce of 30,000 people to meet its 2030 energy efficiency targets in the building sector

According to the Croatia Green Building Council, Croatia will require approximately 30,000 employees per year in order to achieve its 2030 energy efficiency goals in the building sector. More specifically, to fulfill the 2030 energy efficiency objectives in the building sector, Croatia will need 24,500 qualified workers in addition to 5,800 architects, construction experts, mechanical engineers, and electrical engineers.

The European Union has set a 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target that aims to reduce emissions by 40% compared to 1990 levels. In Croatia, the building sector is responsible for consuming 40% of the energy and producing 36% of CO2 emissions. The primary obstacles to meeting these energy and climate targets are the lack of skilled workers and the limited knowledge of energy-efficient technologies. Simultaneously, there is limited interest in the majority of three-year secondary education programs related to this sector, with enrollment falling short of quotas, and curriculum lagging behind market demands.

To attain the EU target, it will be essential to expand energy-efficient renovations of existing buildings and the construction of nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB buildings). However, these activities will demand a greater number of skilled workers, including craftsmen and entrepreneurs with specialized knowledge and expertise in utilizing modern technologies to deliver high-quality construction. It is mentioned that a significant percentage of craftsmen, ranging from 40% to 60%, have expressed a lack of familiarity with energy-efficient technologies, although they are willing to learn.

The above are the findings of an analysis that was conducted as part of the CRO skills Reload project, a collaborative effort involving the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Zagreb, the Croatia Green Building Council, the Croatian Chamber of Traders and Crafts, the Regional Energy Agency North, and the country's association of vocational construction schools.