The Pact for Skills has announced a new Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) for the agri-food sector in Campania. This partnership will upskill and reskill the local workforce, helping the sector adapt to changing environmental, economic and social demands.
Campania has a rich agricultural heritage, shaped by Mediterranean influences, fertile volcanic soil, and a strong culinary tradition. In 2023, agriculture, forestry and fishing employed 4% of the region’s workforce, or around 67,000 people.
However, this fragmented sector is dominated by small, family-run farms and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It has also shrunk over time: between 2010 and 2020, the number of agricultural holdings fell by 41.6% and workers by 10.8%.
Digital literacy levels are low, as are the adoption of precision farming, automation and processing technologies. These challenges are compounded by financial constraints and limited access to training in rural areas.
The ambition
The Regional Skills Partnership for the Agri-Food Sector in Campania will support the upskilling and reskilling of the workforce in the agri-food sector, make the sector more attractive to young people, and provide lifelong learning opportunities.
It will work with SMEs to set a joint strategy for a framework to maximise competitiveness, job retention and attractiveness. The strategy aims to reach all relevant stakeholders, from farmers, cooperatives, processors and associations to education and training providers.
The commitments
Partners have committed to updating data on skills needs to guide education and training providers and contributing knowledge, practices and policy recommendations to an EU-wide framework.
The RSP will strengthen cooperation between training providers and businesses, tailoring training to SMEs’ needs. It will improve mobility, promote vocational education, apprenticeships and lifelong learning, and support the delivery of training. Better communication will make the sector more attractive, while social dialogue will improve coordination between employers, workers and education providers.
The RSP will collect data on selected companies, examining aspects like production processes, logistics, marketing strategies, and human resources. It will identify key actors in the supply chain, analyse collaboration, and assess new occupational profiles, skills and knowledge needs.
It will then develop customised training plans for each company and the supply chain, including training objectives, methods and certification models. It will also focus on monitoring and evaluation to ensure that positive change is achieved.
Find out more in the Partnership Declaration below:
Details
- Publication date
- 17 July 2025
- Author
- Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion