Root

Across Europe, rapid technological change and the green transition are transforming skills needs and career pathways. Many adults, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), face difficulties in identifying suitable opportunities for upskilling and reskilling, while career guidance services often lack sector-specific tools and evidence.

The ROOT project addresses this challenge by strengthening career guidance and workforce development in the downstream Earth Observation sector. This fast-growing sector offers significant employment potential but requires specialised and evolving skill sets that are not always clearly visible to individuals, employers, or career professionals. In doing so, ROOT aligns with key European initiatives such as the Pact for Skills and the Digital Europe Programme, which aim to support skills development and workforce resilience in strategic sectors.

ROOT aims to improve the accessibility, relevance, and effectiveness of career guidance for adults, with a particular focus on employees, SMEs, and career counsellors. The project develops and tests a Living Lab–based career guidance model, bringing together learners, practitioners, employers, and experts in collaborative, real-life settings.

Through this approach, ROOT delivers practical guidance tools, supports informed upskilling and reskilling decisions, and contributes to improved professional practice in career guidance. In parallel, the project generates evidence-based insights that can inform skills and employment policies. All results are designed to be transferable and scalable, supporting their use across different European contexts.