ETF unveils Green Skills Awards finalists: winners to be announced on 25 June at major conference

The ETF has unveiled the finalists of its Green Skills Award. These represent the best stories in skills development to empower the green transition. The three award winners will be selected via an online vote open to the public until 24 June. The ETF will announce them at the international event ‘Building lifelong learning systems’ 

Turin, 28 April 2021 — The European Training Foundation has unveiled the Green Skills Award finalists. They will be presented at a ceremony on 25 June during an online event organised jointly with UNESCO, with the collaboration of EBRD, ILO and UNICEF, entitled ‘Building lifelong learning systems: skills for green and inclusive societies in the digital era’ (21-25 June 2021).

The finalists were selected from among applicants to an ETF call for good practice entitled ’Green transition: education, training and skills’. The aim of the call was to collect stories about how education, training and skills development are supporting the shift towards sustainable, clean, carbon-neutral circular economies and societies. The selected cases will provide ideas and inspiration for education and training policy-makers and practitioners in the EU neighbourhood and beyond.

Finalists include stories from the following countries:

  • Albania, Shipmentt – Greening of existing professions in the maritime sector;
  • Azerbaijan, Inkoel – Public-private partnerships for enhancing the green skills in the energy industry;
  • Belarus, Volma – Equipping trainers with up-to-date knowledge on green technologies;
  • Belgium, Label Emmaus – Preparing vulnerable groups for a new green profession;
  • India, PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education – Schools introducing green skills into their curricula;
  • Italy, Atelier Riforma – Greening of the textile and fashion industry through new curricula;
  • Palestine, Ghada Krayem – Vocational education centre offering green energy curricula for refugees in Gaza;
  • The Netherlands (with the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Romania and Spain), European Platform Urban Greening – International public-private partnership for innovating curricula with green skills;
  • Turkey, Selcuk Arslan, Ataturk Vocational and Technical High School – Raising awareness on the impact of online learning on the environment;
  • Ukraine, Emau – Greening of existing professions in the building management sector;
  • Ukraine, Professional Qualifications in Energy Efficiency Project – Skilling students on energy efficiency at all stages of education.

The 11 finalists were selected from 134 applications from 39 countries. The description of their proposals can be found here: www.etf.europa.eu/GreenSkillsAward.

“Climate change, environmental degradation and loss in biodiversity are all major global challenges that are already having an impact on our livelihoods and societies. In the countries surrounding the European Union, sustainability is a key objective of national development strategies of equal importance to macro-economic stability and a business-friendly environment” said Anastasia Fetsi, ETF’s lead human capital expert, “With the Green Skills Award we will showcase examples of tried and tested methods as well as innovative approaches to skills development supporting the green transition.”

Every citizen interested in the Green Skills Award will be able to vote here (www.etf.europa.eu/GreenSkillsAward) their favourites stories until 24 June at 12:00 pm CET.

Background   

The European Training Foundation is the EU agency supporting the countries of the EU neighbourhood to reform their education, training and labour market systems. It works with policymakers and practitioners to support reform, promote evidence-based approaches, document change, provide analysis and stimulate debate to anticipate new skills needs. In line with the EU Green Deal, the drive towards clean, carbon neutral, circular economies and societies also shapes EU external assistance to the countries of the neighbourhood.

More information   

  • Green Skills Award Finalists and voting platform: www.etf.europa.eu/GreenSkillsAward
  • Call for good practice ’Green transition: education, training and skills’
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