Building on ICF GHK’s extensive experience in researching and evaluating international developments in green growth, green jobs and green skills, this chapter identifies key actions for policy makers and social partners to ensure that vocational education and training are better aligned to the needs of enterprises and entrepreneurs, in the context of transition. The employment, skills and training strategies developed by the European Union and the G20/ILO provide the framework for this analysis. The chapter applies the five critical elements of the G20 Training Strategy to the case of green structural change and outlines five key policy actions.

This chapter provides an overview of the European Union context for skills and employment within the Europe 2020 Strategy, both to stimulate economic growth at a time of global recession and support the development of greener economies in Europe. It examines the nature of green jobs and occupations, and sets out the contribution that green skills and employment can make to achieve economic stability and promote the mitigation of climate change. It is important to ensure that the green economy does not act to disadvantage already marginalised groups, such as female workers who are poorly represented in green industries. The chapter also describes the New Skills for Green Jobs Project, which was funded by the EU PROGRESS initiative – specifically to link with the Europe 2020 Strategy. The 2012 project sought to promote an adequate skills base to support the transition towards a green economy by identifying and exchanging good practices across partner countries.

The scale and nature of “green” jobs has come to the fore in political discussion in Europe at both national and international levels. Particularly in the light of the continuing recession, the idea that economic growth could be stimulated and new jobs created by activities that also meet environmental objectives is clearly attractive. Green jobs are an important part of the EU’s Europe 2020 strategy, which explicitly quotes figures for jobs that could be created from meeting environmental goals. This chapter gives an overview of the current situation and possible development of green jobs in the period up to 2020. It combines quantitative and qualitative analysis, at both the macro and detailed sectoral level, to develop an understanding of the number and nature of green jobs and how they might be influenced by future policy.

This chapter discusses European policy developments regarding VET-labour market co-operation in general and in the renewable energy sector in particular. The situation in Austria is also discussed: How is the renewable energy sector embedded in the Austrian economy? Which strategies are followed and what challenges are faced in supplying green skills? Finally, the chapter looks at masterplans as a tool for the governance of VET in general, as well as the objectives, methodological approach and intermediate findings of the “Masterplan for Human Resources for Renewable Energy” project in particular.

Skills development is critical to unlocking the employment potential of green growth. To avoid future skill shortages, countries need to devise strategies based on well-informed policy decisions, social dialogue and co-ordination among ministries and between employers and training providers. Changes in skill profiles happen at all levels of qualification and across all sectors. Co-ordination between skills and environmental policies, mainstreaming environmental content across all training programmes, as well as designing specific courses for new or changing occupations are important building blocks for a coherent strategy to gear up education and training for greener jobs. This contribution draws on findings from the book Skills for Green Jobs. A Global View, arising from an ILO/Cedefop collaboration, and two sector studies on renewable energy and green building as well as a comparative analysis of methods of skills identification, resulting from a joint project between the ILO and the European Commission

The authors defend the idea that a sustainable society is only possible through a systemic approach, which integrates (new) green production and consumption patterns, in a unique eco-system. This chapter focuses on research and innovation in the area of industrial technologies. It shows how research and innovation must be interrelated for a sustainable and competitive economy. Despite delocalisation, industry continues to play a capital role for Europe in what we call “the industrial paradox”: industrial economies are more crisis-resistant than those dominated by low added-value activities. For the authors, Europe still maintains competitive advantages, such as its human capital. Maintaining or increasing such advantage requires the development of a whole set of skills, both technical and “soft” skills. The needs of industry in terms of skills and capacities are therefore analysed, combined with values and attitudes necessary for a sustainable society. The chapter includes some policy recommendations that put into question current European education and training discourses and policies.