How Swisscontact supports the transition to green employment

Sectors such as energy, transport and construction are particularly affected, followed closely by agriculture, industrial production and waste management. However, all sectors are facing significant changes. Given the severity of the threat and the urgent need to reduce emissions, the green transition is no longer an option. The question now is not if, but how and how fast it will happen.

Transforming the economy will require a coordinated effort, building on existing momentum for change from governments and multilateral organisations, and driven by public pressure and environmental threats. Private companies, financial institutions, research and technology organisations, educational institutions and individuals are all equally challenged to find greener solutions.

A Transition on Different Levels

Three conditions must generally be met to make a green transition possible.

1. A solid policy basis is needed, which includes Green Skills & Jobs recommendations and guides the formulation of a legal framework.
2. A technical understanding of how green skills relevant to the target group can be embedded in curricula and educational programs is needed.
3. A good understanding of the local context and the demand for Green Skills & Jobs in the labor market and the economy is needed.

Green skills are the key to greater employee resilience

The entire workforce will need to acquire new 'green' skills as part of this transition. This will help build the resilience needed to face the dynamics of climate change and the changing business environment.

Three different levels of green skills will play a central role:

1. Green Mindset: A positive attitude towards climate and sustainability lays the foundation for green professional skills. It ensures the topic receives the necessary attention in the workplace.
2. Transferable Green Skills: These skills, applicable across various fields (e.g. understanding recycling processes) empower employees to adopt more sustainable practices in their daily tasks.
3. Occupation-specific Green Skills: At the top of the pyramid are occupation-specific green skills. These skills, tailored to new and existing green occupations, enable targeted reduction of environmental impact.

Green skills - a multifaceted challenge

Companies and employees face significant external pressures, driven by climate-related risks, evolving regulatory environments, landscapes and changing consumer demands.

Some of the key challenges and skills required for a successful green transition include: