Green Skills

SOLAS is committed to integrating sustainability in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector and advancing the green transition in Ireland. FET has a pivotal role in responding to climate change by ensuring all learners develop Green Skills. These are:

 ‘the abilities needed to live in, develop, and support a society which aims to reduce the negative impact of human activity on the environment’ (Cedefop, 2014).

Green Skills 2030 was launched on Tuesday, 15th October. It is the 1st National Further Education & Training (FET) Strategy for the Green Transition and aims to shape the response and contribution of the sector towards meeting Ireland’s climate action targets to halve Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Green Skills 2030 has been developed by SOLAS in partnership with KPMG and in consultation with the 16 Education & Training Boards, public bodies, government departments, and key industry stakeholders. The strategy examines crucial sectors including construction, agriculture, transport, energy, hospitality, and finance, identifies critical skills gaps and, presents strategic and sector specific recommendations. The strategy outlines ways in which FET can equip the learners with the skills required to build a workforce that supports the transition to a green economy and a society that is just and inclusive for all.

Green Skills 2030 builds upon the Green Skills for FET 2021-2030 roadmap, created to present high-level actions for embedding green skills initiatives throughout the sector in response to policy requirements and actions/recommendations required in EU and national directives.

You can read the full Green Skills 2030 Strategy here.

Green Skills Programmes

FET presents extensive opportunities to develop green skills in different areas and growing employment opportunities. There are currently over 100 programmes developed by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the country, and available for learners nationwide. Areas include:

-      art & design

-      agriculture

-      biodiversity & the environment

-      business

-      construction & the built environment

-      hospitality & tourism

-      engineering & renewable energy

-      manufacturing

-      transport

Find available Green Skills courses at www.fetchcourses.ie

Green Skills programmes provide many benefits to learners by:

  • Creating awareness of climate justice, sustainability and bioeconomic issues.

  • Training and upskilling in the latest green technologies in critical sectors going through transformational change to meet requirements of the green economy such as agriculture, construction and transport.

  • Building career opportunities in the green economy for the employed, unemployed and those within vulnerable sectors.

Green Skills Courses

Sustainability Awareness & Climate Literacy

A short and flexible Sustainability for Beginners online programme to develop understanding of climate change and develop behaviours to reduce environmental impact is available in 4 languages. You can find more information about the programme here.

Short courses in topics such as biodiversity, water management and energy conservation are also available in eCollege. In addition, a range of micro-qualifications to upskill and reskill to develop awareness in sustainability issues and extend career opportunities in the green economy for employees, employers and the unemployed are available through Skills to Compete and Skills to Advance. Find out more about Skills to Advance Green Skills Programmes here.

Agriculture

Part-time and full-time programmes including traineeships in organic horticulture and sustainable agriculture and short courses in organic and sustainable gardening are available. Find existing courses at www.fetchcourses.ie

Construction and the Built Environment

Training options in the latest technologies including Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB), Retrofit and Modern Methods of Construction are available nationwide. These include starter programmes such as the NZEB Fundamental Awareness, trade specific NZEB courses suited for post-apprenticeship and, upskilling programmes developed for site supervisors, carpenters, plumbers, plasterers, electricians and bricklayers. Centres of Excellence have been established across the country and you can find out more about them and hear about the impact the courses offered have on learners here.

Engineering and Renewable Energy

Programmes in renewable energy aimed to empower learners with skills in clean technologies include starter programmes such as SOLAR PV awareness, and courses like domestic heat pump systems, Micro Solar Photovoltaic Systems Implementation and Micro-Generator Electrical Installations. Find more about these courses here

Transport

Full-time and part-time programmes upskilling in green energy include Electric / hybrid vehicle routine maintenance, Smart driving, Bus Driving, Advanced bicycle mechanic technician and Bike maintenance. Find available courses at www.fetchcourses.ie

Apprenticeships

The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 encouraged different, non-craft sectors of Irish Industry to embrace the challenge and develop apprenticeships responsive to workplace change and evolving skills needs to support the green transition.

An apprenticeship combines learning in an education and training institution with work-based learning in a company. At least 50% of apprenticeship learning is completed in the workplace. Apprenticeships lead to nationally recognised qualifications.

More information at www.apprenticeship.ie

Visit your local ETB to find Green Skills courses near you.

Visit your local ETB to find Green Skills courses near you.