ACE-EX: A New Competence Matrix
Circular Skills for Sustainable Agriculture: A New Competence Matric for Industry Experts
The transition from a linear agricultural production model to a circular one represents one of the sector’s most
significant challenges today. According to the latest Eurostat report on farm structure (2023), only 8.7% of
European farmers have completed comprehensive agricultural training, highlighting an urgent need for skill
development in the sector. Technological developments, climate issues, and sudden scenario changes require
workers and farmers to update their knowledge urgently. The transition to circular economy practices in
agriculture needs well-trained professionals to manage innovation and sustainability in production processes.
In response to this challenge, the European project ACE-EX (Agriculture Circular Economy – Expert), funded by the
Erasmus+ program and led by the Higher Technical Institute for Life Technologies (ITS NTV), has developed an
innovative competence matrix to train experts in circular economy applied to agriculture. EUROMASC (NO),
together with an international consortium of 20 partners, coordinates this work, which systematically defines the
knowledge and skills needed to implement circular practices in the agricultural sector.
Available in eight European languages, the matrix spans two levels of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF
4 and 5) and covers nine fundamental areas, from circular economy principles to technical skills, innovation
management, and energy efficiency. A particularly innovative aspect includes the integration of transversal skills
such as systems thinking, change management, and youth engagement – essential elements to guide the transition
toward more sustainable practices.
The tool addresses a concrete sector need: according to Eurostat, very few farm managers in the EU have
completed comprehensive agricultural training, with most relying solely on practical experience. Training
institutions and companies will use the competence matrix to structure targeted training paths, facilitating the
recognition of acquired skills and promoting professional mobility in the sector.
European collaboration has produced a tool that reflects the continent’s diverse agricultural realities, from the
Mediterranean to Nordic regions. As the project document emphasizes, the successful transition to a circular
economy in agriculture will depend on our ability to train prepared professionals who can lead sustainable
innovation in European agricultural enterprise