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Skills for the green economy
Environmental change is an increasingly important driver of labour demand and skills supply across all sectors. Therefore, the positive impacts of the transition to a greener economy can be maximised by simultaneously developing the skills, knowledge and competences required by resource-efficient processes and technologies; and integrating these into businesses and communities. To this end, Cedefop’s relevant work explores employment effects, skill requirements and policy implications of the transition towards a greener economy. The main aims are to investigate the expected impact of environmental and climate change policies on future skills demand within and across sectors, and to provide insights for effective training and education policies and initiatives.
In the relevant Cedefop publications specific economic activities and occupational profiles are highlighted to identify where existing competences are being enhanced; additional or new competences are emerging; and other competences are becoming obsolete as a result of the greening of the European economy. By comparing experiences and strategic responses across countries, Cedefop provides stakeholders and social partners with examples of good practice to shape the way in which education and training systems can be adjusted, upgraded and/or refocused so that learners and workers are suitably equipped with the right skills.
Skills for green jobs (2017-)
In 2017, Cedefop and the ILO agreed to update the country studies produced for the report Skills for Green Jobs: A Global View (2011). Cedefop updated reports for six EU countries (Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Spain, France and the UK).
A European Synthesis report based on the six reports and a video presenting the results of the reports are available.
Cedefop’s video on skills for green jobs was used in ILO’s video on Boosting skills for green jobs, available here.
Cedefop country reports:
- Skills for green jobs in Denmark: an update (2018)
- Skills for green jobs in Estonia: an update (2018)
- Skills for green jobs in France: an update (2018)
- Skills for green jobs in Germany: an update (2018)
- Skills for green jobs in Spain: an update (2018)
- Skills for green jobs in the United Kingdom: an update (2018)
The updated studies served as a background for ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook 2018: Greening with jobs.
Other Green skills activities (2012-14)
- OECD LEED - Cedefop Green skills forum 2014
- OECD LEED - Cedefop Green skills forum 2012
The publication related to the Green forum 2012 is available from here - Inter-Agency working group on Greening TVET and skills development
Sustainable energy (2012-13)
A more efficient, conservative use of energy across all sectors and a greater use of renewable energy sources are essential to foster transition to sustainable and secure energy in Europe. Achieving the energy and employment targets provided within Europe 2020 strategy it is however not without challenges. Investigating the expected impact of sustainable energy policies on future skills demand is necessary to inform effective employment, education and training policies in this area.
- Skills for a low carbon Europe: synthesis report
- Skills for a low carbon Europe: briefing note
- Interim workshop held in Brussels on 26 April 2012
Green skills (2011-12)
The impact of developing a sustainable, green economy on employment and skill demands is uneven over time, across countries, regions and types of work and occupation. Consistent regulation, sustained government incentives and the mainstreaming of green economic development across employment and skills policies are important mechanisms to support a smooth transition. Improved provision of guidance on green jobs and forecasting of skill needs are needed to avert bottlenecks and facilitate VET responses.
- Green skills and innovation for inclusive growth
- Green skills and environmental awareness in VET: Synthesis report
- Briefing note - A strategy for green skills?
- Technical validation workshop held in London on 05 October 2011
Green jobs (2010-12)
The move to sustainable development creates an enormous potential for job creation. These jobs are powered by environmental policy, market demands, investment in new technology and innovation. In the future, almost every job will potentially be a “green” job. Considering the significant socio-economic externalities, the case for government support to drive this forward is clear. Understanding the environmental implications of an occupation needs to be mainstreamed into education and training systems.
- Briefing note - Skills for green jobs
- Skills for green jobs: Cedefop European Synthesis report and the related six country reports (Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Spain, France and the UK). The reports can also be downloaded all together from here.
- Skills for green jobs: ILO Global synthesis and country reports
- Technical validation workshop held in Geneva on 17-18 May 2012
Green economy (2008-09)
The expansion of the green economy is being accelerated by concerns relating to energy generation, resource use and environmental management. Europe sets the pace in the drive to a low-carbon economy based on renewables to substitute for fossil fuels and energy conservation for efficient energy use. Skills are a critical ingredient in setting coherent education, training, employment and environmental targets.