Curricula in VET schools and digital workplace training logbooks are primarily based on job descriptions and competence requirements. This approach effectively integrates necessary knowledge and skills directly into both educational and workplace learning content. The sustainability goals in job descriptions and competence requirements for vocational education and training in Iceland refer to EQF level 4/ISQF3.
Supporting climate issues
For many years, the Icelandic government has emphasised environmental and climate issues in official development cooperation. Iceland's policies are aligned with the international agreements it has joined, approved, or ratified, forming a comprehensive framework for global development.
The Icelandic government now supports the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a sustainable world by 2030. Iceland's development cooperation is working towards protecting the planet and the sustainable use of natural resources, in line with SDGs 7, 13, 14, and 15.
Initiatives in Iceland focus on:
- use of geothermal energy, particularly its direct use for food security and procurement;
- other renewable energy sources;
- sustainable use of oceans and waters;
- land reclamation;
- measures to increase climate change;
- mitigation and adaptation capacity in communities.
As a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other related agreements, Iceland, along with the Ministry of Education and Children, has encouraged entities operating within the school environment to emphasise environmental and climate issues when drafting or revising curricula for learners, including those in vocational education and training.
VET curricula and digital training logbooks reviewed
When reviewing job descriptions and competence requirements, not only are technical changes in jobs considered, but also environmental issues, feeding into the national VET curricula. In September 2023, a new competence requirement concerning sustainability and environmental issues was added to all job descriptions and competence requirements in a transversal way across all VET sectors. The process is under constant review. The skill requirement is assessed personally for each apprentice at the workplace. It is the master craftsman who evaluates work performance against viability goals, e.g. choice and use of materials and work processes while working on different tasks.
As a result, when job descriptions and competence requirements are drafted or updated, reviewing them through this method has become a widely accepted practice across various professions.
Read more
- Digital logbook | Centre for Education and School Services
- Directorate of Education and School Services
| Please cite this news item as: ReferNet Iceland, & Cedefop (2025, January 8). Iceland: competence requirement on sustainability added to VET job descriptions. National news on VET. |