Green Skills For Youth: Paving the Way Towards a Sustainable Future

In a world grappling with environmental challenges, the role of youth in shaping a sustainable future is more critical than ever. The young generation holds the power to drive change, and equipping them with the right tools and knowledge is essential for a greener tomorrow. This year’s United Nations International Youth Day highlights the concept of “green skills” – the skills and competencies needed to thrive in a sustainable economy. What’s the role that businesses play in supporting and nurturing the potential of our youth and who is greening up?

The Rising Imperative of Green Skills

As the global community tackles pressing issues like climate change, resource depletion, and pollution, the demand for “green skills” is on the rise. Green skills encompass a range of abilities, from renewable energy technology to sustainable agriculture practices, circular economy principles, and climate adaptation strategies. Equipping youth with these skills not only enhances their employability but also empowers them to contribute meaningfully to the transition toward a sustainable world.

Based on predictions made by the World Economic Forum, millions of new jobs and careers will be created in the green economy. But creating new jobs is only part of the equation. Developing an appropriately skilled workforce is critical.

According to their Davos Labs Youth Recovery Plan 2021, almost half of young people feel they don’t have the right skills to guarantee them a dignified job in the next five to 10 years.

The report sets out 40 policy recommendations by young people aged between 20 and 30. These include offering tax credits to companies investing in reskilling or upskilling – and creating an online skills aggregator that pairs the future skills needs of cities with upskilling or reskilling initiatives.

Businesses as Catalysts for Youth Empowerment:

The private sector has a unique role to play in fostering green skills among the youth. By engaging with educational institutions, community organizations, and youth-focused initiatives, businesses can become catalysts for youth empowerment and skill development.

This is especially true in developing countries where training youth in green skills is particularly important due to the numerous benefits it brings to both the youth themselves and the overall sustainable development of the nation.

Developing countries often bear a disproportionate burden of environmental challenges, such as pollution, deforestation, water scarcity, and climate change impacts. By equipping youth with green skills, these countries can foster a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who can actively contribute to mitigating and adapting to these challenges.

Many developing countries are highly dependent on sectors that are vulnerable to environmental fluctuations, such as agriculture. Green skills diversify young people’s employability, making them less susceptible to the impacts of climate-related disruptions and promoting economic resilience.

Furthermore, green industries, such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and waste management, offer significant potential for job creation. Training youth in green skills enables them to participate in these emerging sectors, fostering economic growth, reducing unemployment rates, and driving innovation.

Regardless of global location, instilling green skills and environmental awareness in youth can cultivate a culture of environmental stewardship — helping to preserve natural resources for future generations.

In fact, Global Child Forum’s benchmark, under the Community & Environment impact area, looks closely at how companies support their community with programs and initiatives. A company that displays its commitment to contributing positively to the wider community by actively driving its own programmes and/or projects, scores more highly in our benchmark.

Leading the Way

Many businesses have already taken commendable steps actively supporting youth training and development in the field of “green skills”. Here are a few examples:

• Enel, a global energy company, has launched the Open Africa Power program, which offers training and development opportunities to young professionals in the African energy sector. The program includes a series of training modules on renewable energy, energy access, and sustainable development, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
• Standard Chartered Vietnam supports young leaders in the Sustainability Incubator Program which provides youth with foundational tools and opportunities to learn, practice, and promote sustainability. It also empowers and equips Vietnamese young leaders with the knowledge, resources, and network to effectively communicate the complexity of sustainability to their peers at workplaces, and to aid in the green transition.
• IBM’s Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) program provides high school students with the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in a STEM field. P-TECH schools partner with local colleges and businesses to offer a curriculum focused on technology and innovation, including green technologies and sustainable practices.
• Toyota supports educational initiatives through its Environmental Activities Grant Program which promotes environmental awareness and conservation. The program funds projects aimed at educating youth about environmental issues and sustainable practices.
• Vestas, a Danish wind energy company, operates a training center in Chennai, India, that offers hands-on training and development programs for young individuals interested in the wind power industry. The center provides technical education and practical experience in areas such as wind turbine operation and maintenance.
• Sasol, a South African integrated energy and chemical company, runs environmental education programs for schools and communities across the country. These programs aim to raise awareness about environmental issues, promote sustainable practices, and inspire young people to pursue careers in fields related to environmental conservation and green technologies.
• Microsoft’s Imagine Cup is a global competition that encourages students to create innovative projects addressing societal challenges, including environmental sustainability. It provides young people with the opportunity to develop tech-driven solutions for a greener world.
• SAP’s Next-Gen initiative connects students, researchers, and startups with SAP technologies to address complex challenges, including environmental sustainability. The program encourages innovation and prepares youth for future sustainability-focused careers.

These examples highlight how companies around the world are actively engaging with youth to develop their green skills, empower them with knowledge and opportunities, and inspire a generation of environmentally conscious leaders. Through various initiatives, partnerships, and programs, they are helping to shape a new generation of leaders who are equipped to address pressing environmental challenges.