Given this scenario, knowing more Future of work details about the sustainable transformations that the job market is undergoing and what role green skills play in all of this is essential.
Therefore, we invite you to continue reading this article!
What are green skills?
When we hear or read the term “green skills”, we immediately think of those skills necessary to perform functions directly related to sustainability or environmental protection, right?
While this association may make sense, the truth is that green skills are part of a much larger story. They are increasingly no longer just required for green jobs , but are now seen as essential in all sectors of the economy.
In practice, green skills comprise the knowledge and skills required for a job to be carried out with environmental and social responsibility. As such, they become valuable in practically all roles, especially in companies that consider the ESG agenda a priority.
Why are sustainable skills increasingly important?
According to the same LinkedIn report we mentioned earlier, around 10% of job openings advertised in 2022 required at least one explicitly green skill. And there are many explanations for this.
First, humanity is facing an unprecedented environmental crisis. To address the challenges on this front, it is essential that society and organizations transition to a green economy that is more resource-efficient, less polluting and more resilient.
As a result of the environmental crisis, the demand for sustainable and socially responsible practices has been increasing worldwide — not only due to pressure from consumers and investors themselves, but also due to stricter regulations and public policies on the subject.
Together, these factors help drive the hiring of talent with sustainable skills that can support companies in this endeavor. After all, green skills can be considered the “building blocks” of the green transition.
For professionals, this transformation also opens up a unique opportunity: to reconcile work and purpose, something that is already seen as a priority for a large part of new talent .
What are the main green skills that companies are looking for?
Now that you know that green skills should be part of the future of work and why they are valuable in different areas of activity and i quit my job to start sectors of the economy, it’s time to find out what these skills are.
Below, we list the “green knowledge” most requested by organizations, according to LinkedIn research:
SUSTAINABILITY OR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
It involves the knowledge and ability to evaluate and implement sustainable practices in different sectors. This includes understanding evolution of management systems in the metallurgical industry the environmental, social and economic impacts of human activities, and the ability to create strategies capable of mitigating them.
REMEDIATION
It includes knowledge of the techniques australia database directory needed to rehabilitate and restore environmentally degraded or contaminated areas, thus minimizing environmental damage.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH GUIDANCE
This skill exemplifies why green skills are valuable in multiple areas. In this case, we are talking about the ability to apply occupational health and safety measures in order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Knowing how to work with renewable energy technologies, such as solar or wind, is also an increasingly valued skill. It includes everything from technical skills for installing, maintaining and repairing equipment to management skills for monitoring renewable energy projects.
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY (EHS)
It involves understanding environmental and safety standards and regulations in the workplace, as well as the ability to create and implement successful policies on this front when necessary.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
It involves understanding and applying ethical and responsible corporate practices. Those who have this green skill are generally able to consider the environmental and social impacts of the company’s activities, as well as devise sustainable strategies to minimize them.
RECYCLING
Finally, we have the ability to manage and reduce the environmental impact of waste generated by organizations, including knowledge of the different types and management techniques, as well as the ability to implement sustainable solutions to reduce , recycle and reuse the waste generated.
These are some of the main green skills that companies are currently looking for. In addition to these, the Global Green Skills 2022 report highlighted other green skills that are growing rapidly, such as:
- sustainable fashion;
- oil spill response;
- environmental services;
- sustainable landscapes.
How to develop green skills and prepare for the future of work ?
If you are excited about the possibilities that green skills bring to companies and people, you certainly want to know how to develop them, right?
Ideally, training in this area should involve a joint effort: it can and should be supported by companies, but it should also be sought out individually by employees interested in exploring this universe and standing out professionally.