Ireland: Green 2030 – First national further education and training (FET) strategy for the green transition

First national FET strategy for the green transition launched

On 15 October 2024, the Irish Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O'Donovan launched Green skills 2030 the National FET strategy for the green transition together with SOLAS, the Further Education and Training (FET) authority, and key partners from the FET sector.

Development of Green 2030

FET in Ireland currently presents extensive opportunities to develop green skills in different areas and growing employment opportunities. There are at present over 100 programmes developed by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the country, and available for learners nationwide. Areas include art and design, agriculture, biodiversity and the environment, business, construction and the built environment, hospitality and tourism, engineering and renewable energy, manufacturing and transport.

Management consultants were commissioned to prepare and oversee the consultation process in collaboration with SOLAS. The aim of the stakeholder consultation process was to give stakeholders an opportunity to provide expert knowledge on the green and transversal skills required for existing, new, and emerging occupations across the economic sectors mentioned above. Stakeholders were also invited to explore tertiary pathways, indicative programmes, and specialist FET skills centres to meet the identified green skill needs.

Significant changes and desired effects

Green Skills 2030: 

• identifies key skills gaps impacting Ireland’s ability to transition to a climate-neutral society across critical sectors, such as construction, agriculture, transport, energy, hospitality, and finance;
• presents strategic and sector-specific recommendations;
• outlines the opportunities available for the FET sector to respond to skill gaps and build an inclusive workforce at the forefront of the green transition; 
• outlines ways in which FET can equip the learners with the skills required to build a workforce that supports the transition to a green economy and a society that is just and inclusive for all.

Implementing the strategy

The delivery of Green Skills 2030 will be overseen by the ‘Green Skills 2030 implementation group’. It is envisioned that membership of the group will include representatives from: SOLAS, Education Training Boards (ETBs), Education Training Board Ireland (representative body of ETBs) and Department of Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DHFERIS) who will: 

• develop an implementation plan to ensure successful delivery of the strategy;
• advise on data collection procedures to monitor implementation and progress measures; 
• review the strategy throughout its lifetime so it remains fit for purpose; 
• recommend actions to address any identified risks to implementation; 
• liaise with other units across each representative’s organisation to ensure alignment with organisational goals, policies, and procedures;
• ensure that implementation plans are aligned to government policies, strategies, and legislation where relevant;
• follow upcoming directives at national/EU level to ensure compliance;
• engage with industry stakeholders to remain up to date on critical industry needs and consult on implementation matter, where appropriate.

Read more

• Future FET: transforming learning. The national further education and training (FET) strategy
• gov.ie – Minister O’Donovan launches first national further education and training strategy for the green transition
• Climate Action Plan 2024
• National biodiversity action plan 2023-30 – National biodiversity action plan | National parks & wildlife service
• The European Green Deal – The European Green Deal – European Commission
• The European Skills Agenda – European Skills Agenda – European Commission
• EU GreenComp – JRC Publications repository – GreenComp The European sustainability competence framework