How can vocational training drive the circular economy? Fundació BCN FP’s (Barcelona VET Foundation) study on ecodesign reveals the emerging skills and profiles needed for a sustainable future.
Fundació BCN Formació Professional (Barcelona VET Foundation) is a public foundation of the Barcelona City Council and the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB), and is a key actor in connecting vocational education and training (VET) with the evolving demands of the labour market in the Barcelona Metropolitan Region. Through its Observatori de l’FP (VET Observatory), the foundation analyses emerging economic sectors, identifies professional profiles, and fosters innovation and collaboration between training centres, companies, and public administrations.
One of their studies, “L’Economia Circular, el Cas de l’Ecodisseny” (Circular Economy, the Case of Ecodesign), explored how the principles of circular economy and ecodesign are reshaping both industry and professional training. The research focused on strategic sectors such as consumer goods, construction, packaging, and textiles, and assessed how VET programmes can integrate sustainability and circularity into their curricula.
A particularly interesting contribution of this study is the identification of emerging professional profiles linked to ecodesign. Among them, the profile of “Tècnic/a de manteniment i extensió del producte” (Technician in product maintenance and lifecycle extension) stands out. This role focuses on extending the useful life of products through maintenance, repair, remanufacturing, or recycling — exactly the type of skills that companies will increasingly demand in a circular economy.
The conclusions of this research strongly resonate with the INSET project. Both highlight the need to adapt VET contents to new market realities, strengthen collaboration between companies and training centres, and foster the creation of profiles that can support industries in their transition to circular and sustainable models.
The convergence between INSET and Fundació BCN FP’s perspectives confirms a shared vision: the future of vocational training will depend on preparing professionals who can not only understand circular economy principles but also apply them effectively to create real impact.
