Following the Industry Summit of 20 February where the Antwerp Declaration calling for a European Industrial Deal was launched and subsequently signed by over 1000 organisations, IndustriAll and CEFIC hosted on 15 May an “Antwerp Dialogue on high quality jobs for European workers in Europe”. 

Cerame-Unie was happy to participate in this important discussion in the presence of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit and Mr. Pierre-Yves Dermagne's Cabinet for the Belgian Presidency of the EU.

The European ceramic industry believes that a just transition to a climate-neutral, resilient economy can only be achieved by providing citizens with the necessary skill sets and qualifications for future job profiles.

As highlighted in Cerame-Unie’s Manifesto for the EP elections, under our recommendations for “skills for manufacturing”, we see the need for:

• Simplified funding opportunities to support upskilling and reskilling
• Alignment between academia curricula and skills requirements of EU manufacturing
• Stronger collaboration opportunities between industry, social partners, research & training institutes
• Initiatives to make EU manufacturing jobs more attractive to younger generations

Accordingly, Cerame-Unie welcomes the joint statement co-signed by industriAll European Trade Union, CEEMET, ECEG, IMA-Europe, CEC Footwear, CEPI, Euratex, Euromines, Eurofer, SEA Europe, Aggregates Europe - UEPG, Cotance, Cerame-Unie, Eurometaux, CLEPA, ACEA and Eurelectric, and calling for an Industrial Deal focused on ensuring quality industrial jobs in Europe!

Please consult the Final joint statement: An Industrial Deal focused on ensuring quality industrial jobs in Europe, through the following link:

Antwerp DIALOGUE Joint Statement