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What can employers do to prepare for the rise of green skills?

There is a current focus on AI skills and technology and the impact this will bring for companies worldwide, but Higher Education experts QS share that from 2017 to 2024, there has been a 230% increase in demand for green skills, surpassing the demand for AI skills. The Worldwide Economic Forum supports this with their prediction of a global shift towards a green economy set to create millions of jobs by 2030. The skills that are needed in the workforce are rapidly changing, and both employees and recruiters need to react to these changes with solutions to fill the emerging skills gap. But what exactly are green skills, and how can businesses prepare for this shift?

What are Green skills

Parliament defines green skills as “the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a society which reduces the impact of human activity on the environment”. Green jobs include activities that directly or indirectly support lowering emissions and other environmental goals that contribute to preserving the planet. This takes many different forms, from roles that focus on reducing pollution, conserving energy, or increasing recycling. There is also a vast range of jobs more broadly associated with green skills, where the objective is to educate or change attitudes. These skills are essential for the transition to a low-carbon economy and are becoming increasingly important across all sectors.

How can you prepare?

There are several strategies companies can adopt to prepare for the Green Revolution. Firstly, identifying the gaps in skills for your industry can determine what specific knowledge and abilities are required for your company. Depending on the industry, this may not be directly related to Green skills but an advisory role connected to sustainability. Once this has been established, you can provide your current workforce with the opportunity to upskill. Investing in training programmes will also act as a retention tool for current staff and attract new talent. This could take the form of workshops, courses, and certification in key areas such as environmental management or renewable energy.

Providing the tools is the first step, but to create authenticity, your workplace culture needs to match your sustainable messaging. One way to do this is by encouraging current employees to adopt eco-friendly practices that support this and perhaps even to incentivise workplace schemes.

New talent brings new ideas, and fresh graduates will have been studying during the rise of these skills and the inclusion of this knowledge in current degree programmes. Businesses are well placed to partner with educational institutions to access a pipeline of graduates with green skills. One way to incorporate this is with the value of international students, who often bring unique skills and perspectives that can be invaluable while developing sustainable business practices through their global knowledge. GradLink provides an extensive database of international graduates qualified in the UK to add to your talent pool. To search our CVs and contact candidates or advertise jobs for free, register today! By incorporating these ideas towards more sustainable practices, employers can not only prepare for the rise of green skills but also actively engage, meet demands, and become thought leaders in this area.

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