Why do we need green VET?

The ongoing transition to greener economies in various sectors creates an urgent need to embed sustainability in VET curricula, training, and standards. Council Recommendation on vocational education and training for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness, and resilience recognize that VET systems need to adapt to the rapidly evolving green and digital transitions, technological developments, occupational changes, and the shift towards more highly skilled jobs.

Many of the economically relevant sectors in the WB6 region face significant ecological challenges. They will transform in the coming years if the region achieves the goal of becoming ecologically more sustainable.

Why do We Need Green VET?

Preparing the workforce for the jobs that exist now and those of the future is another reason for reinforcing greening. Thus, greening VET enhances the employability of workers and the productivity of enterprises. The accompanying shift in work processes also creates the possibility that displaced workers can be re-trained and upskilled to be employed in other sectors, minimizing the time required to find new jobs and enterprises to fill new positions.

Moreover, making VET more attractive to learners, communities, and enterprises through the promotion of green skills is underpinned by the greening of VET institutions.

How to develop green VET?

Besides some common measures such as the use of energy-efficient building projects, the introduction of energy-saving equipment, there are numerous specific actions that vocational education institutes or enterprises can undertake on their greening path. We share the most often mentioned recommendations (some of them can be found here).

Recommendations to vocational training institutes

Identify specific knowledge and skills applicable to specific sectors, to the integration of transversal skills linked to the awareness about climate change and resources, sustainable development, and business efficiency
Develop curricula and programmes that include and mainstream green skills for climate-relevant occupations. This might include the development of climate protective modules for training courses and the support to education for specifically climate protecting occupations.
Sometimes it can be more efficient to add modules to existing training courses which address climate protection (the energy use of resources, the reduction of waste etc.).
Facilitate training opportunities for staff (teachers, cooperative training coordinators, administrative staff, and others) about implementing green principles and practices. Support technical and vocational education practitioners to improve their understanding and implementation of education for sustainable development using a whole-institution approach to greening.
Ensure that COVID-19 measures at education centres also promote a green way of life among staff and students, always ensuring their safety and health.
Promote green mobility exchanges.

Recommendations to enterprises

Promote a green culture in their sectors/industries/enterprises.
Facilitate the upskilling and reskilling of employees in industries dealing with the green economy and the entire workforce concerning green competencies, policies, standards, etc. In this respect, key issues are energy efficiency, energy production, and sector coupling.
Introduce work standards and principles in line with the UN 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals
Prioritize collaboration with stakeholders that respect sustainability principles and the environment. For instance, opt to cooperate with vocational training institutes that are committed to environmental protection.