Amidst the growing disparity between the demand for green jobs and the supply of green talent, there is an urgent need for specialized education to prepare, upskill, and reskill youth for employment in the green sector. During COP 28, held in the United Arab Emirates, discussions and meetings highlighted this urgency, emphasizing the global shift towards renewable energy and sustainable practices that require a workforce equipped with green skills. Twenty-four million new jobs will be created globally by 2030 if the right policies to promote a greener economy are put in place (ILO, 2018).
Education is a powerful tool to achieve this goal by encouraging the youth to embrace lifelong learning and develop the skills needed for the green job market. Since its establishment in 2015, the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) has been dedicated to empowering Arab youth by providing access to high-quality education and upskilling initiatives, which are designed to equip them to engage in climate action and drive sustainable development in the respective communities.
The Foundation adopts a strategic collaborative approach and works closely with its partners in addressing sustainability challenges through education, skill building, and thought leadership and knowledge-sharing.
”When we think about a sustainable future for all, it is crucial to view our youth not as mere statistics. They are the reservoir of knowledge and talent that hold within them the vibrant promise of our collective future. At the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, we work with our strategic partners to instill a sustainable mindset in our youth, ensuring that the skills they learn and the knowledge they acquire is viewed through the lens of sustainability.”
Malakeh El Haj
Vice President, Knowledge and Innovation, The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation
The Al Ghurair Thought Leadership Series Outcome Paper, “Future Fit: The Green Advantage- Education, Employment, Empowerment,” emphasizes that integrating green skills and sustainability into education requires a research-driven, localized, balanced, integrated, and interdisciplinary approach.
As the world is taking bold steps towards green transition, more stakeholders are invested in pursuing sustainable practices. Collective efforts rooted in strategic collaboration are vital for developing sustainability-focused curricula and actionable policies to ensure a sustainable supply of the green skillset required for achieving a successful transition. The paper also presents actionable recommendations for key stakeholders such as policymakers, youth, the private sector, and educators, highlighting the importance of embracing lifelong learning, technological advancements, and critical thinking to drive the green transition and foster a skilled workforce that supports a sustainable future.