Key Takeaways
- Controlled Environment Agriculture sector faces a growing talent gap despite high interest from young professionals and farmers.
- A free, EU-funded 30-hour online course provides essential CEA training for aspiring professionals.
- Participants may qualify for a 20-day internship in Flanders (Belgium and the Netherlands) with a stipend.
- Course includes live webinars and expert support from April to June 2025.
- Internships begin in July 2025, with coordinated scheduling to fit academic calendars.
Controlled Environment Agriculture Talent Gap Addressed by CEA Education Course
As the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) sector continues to expand across Europe, one persistent challenge remains: a shortage of skilled talent. Despite increasing interest from both young professionals and conventional farmers, CEA operators often lack the time and resources to effectively engage this loosely connected pool of potential candidates.
To address this gap, a consortium of organizations—backed by European Union funding—has launched a new educational initiative that offers foundational training and practical experience in the CEA field. The program is designed to build a structured, accessible entry point for individuals exploring careers in CEA.
Combining Online Learning and Paid Internships
The Controlled Environment Agriculture training program features a 30-hour interactive online course that introduces essential concepts, technical vocabulary, and operational practices used in hydroponics and other CEA systems. The course includes seven modules:
- Challenges of Agriculture
- Advantages & Disadvantages of Hydroponic Systems
- EU Regulations
- Plant Fundamentals & Cultivation
- Farm Operations
- Technology in *.ponics Systems
- Hygiene and Sanitation
Students also receive professional mentorship, live webinars from April to June 2025, and access to a moderated course community to discuss topics with subject matter experts. The program is delivered through a partnership of key organizations in the CEA and education sectors, including FarmTech Society, Festo Didactic, Delphy, CESAR, and the Latvia University of Life Sciences & Technologies. Together, these partners contribute expertise in curriculum development, technical training, agricultural best practices, and academic support.
Following the course, eligible students may qualify for a 20-day internship at a participating greenhouse in the Flanders region, covering both Belgium and the Netherlands. A total of 30 internships are available, with a stipend per student to cover housing and transportation expenses.
Interested students can apply here.
Internships Start in July 2025
The internship portion of the Controlled Environment Agriculture program will commence in July 2025. Internships will be scheduled in intervals to accommodate student availability and greenhouse capacity, especially for those managing class schedules. Only students who complete the online theory modules will be considered for the hands-on placements.
The program is open to all participants free of charge, and designed to allow students to complete coursework at their own pace. Organizers hope this flexibility and structured approach will help close the sector’s growing talent gap while making CEA a viable career path for more young people across Europe.
Controlled Environment Agriculture Course Aims to Attract Emerging Talent
“This course is a crucial step in harmonizing the baseline knowledge needed to enter the CEA industry,” said a project coordinator involved in the initiative. “By integrating online learning with real-world experience, we’re offering young talent both flexibility and structure as they begin their professional journeys in this field.”
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
