Future jobs need to contribute to the circular economy if we want to achieve the ambitious goals of the Dutch Government to become fully circular by 2050. But does a circular economy offer sufficient employment opportunities for our growing population? And do we have the right skills to make the transition happen? To accelerate circularity, answering these questions is crucial. This report by KPMG and Circle Economy, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Watermanagement, researched these questions and concludes:
- The transition towards a circular economy does not automatically lead to more jobs. However, the amount of jobs that is directly linked to the circular economy will increase. In a circular economy there will be enough human capital to supply in labour demands, but our workforce currently does not have the necessary skills.
- The current education system does not support the needs of a circular labour market. This applies to both graduates and experienced workers.
- Investing in circular activity and actors on a regional level in the Netherlands could build the critical mass needed to realise the circular economy at scale. By doing this, global frontrunners from within the Netherlands could support the global uptake of the circular economy.