The transition to green – and more digital – economies and societies will create new skill needs across sectors and occupations. Europe will have to invest in upskilling and reskilling its workforce. In this context, vocational education and training (VET) will play an eminent role.
Apprenticeship, being closely tied to the labour market, can swiftly adapt, alleviating short-term bottlenecks and ensuring long-term worker employability. Arguably the most hands-on and demand-led form of VET, apprenticeship supports innovation and competitiveness.
The European Green Deal is good news for the EU. A 2021 Cedefop skills forecast scenario on its impact projects employment growth by 2030 to amount to about 2.5 million additional jobs. The strongest job growth is expected in sectors with a high greening potential, such as water supply, waste management and construction. But employment will be on the rise across almost all sectors as employers turn to more sustainable business models. Changes in skill needs must be reflected in education and training provision at all qualification levels. VET and apprenticeship will be crucial to providing skillsets that evolve flexibly and dynamically.
Regions and cities will act as green transition hubs. There will be a huge need for digital skills in greening economies. This confirms that in practice the digital and green transitions are truly ‘twins’ in every respect.
Read more on the challenges of new skill needs created by the transition to a greener economic model in our latest briefing note.
