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Skills for a green future

22 August 2024

If you work in car manufacturing, mining, or any traditional industry, you might be worried about the transition to a more sustainable economy. Will it affect your job, your salary, your security? Cities across Europe are insisting on a ‘just transition,’ ensuring that sustainable policies leave no one behind. Achieving this will mean helping people adjust with new skills and opportunities.

The latest Eurocities Pulse Mayors Survey reveals that over 70% of European mayors prioritise addressing climate change, with a significant focus on climate neutrality, the European Green Deal, and sustainable mobility. A quarter of mayors emphasise the need for developing technical skills among city staff, linking this explicitly to climate action.

Skills shortage

“The skills shortage is a bottleneck hindering progress towards sustainable development goals,” explains Eurocities Head of Advocacy, Louise Coffineau. “This affects everything from implementing green initiatives to providing essential services like solar panel installation and energy audits.”

Municipal leaders are particularly concerned about the demand for professionals proficient in renewable energy technologies and sustainable construction practices. For instance, Warsaw requires 1.1 million skilled workers for retrofitting homes to meet energy efficiency standards, while Lyon’s push for sustainable transport has spurred a need for bike repairers and cyclo-logistics training.

Aligned with the European Green Deal, policies such as the Net-Zero Industry Act aim to establish 40% net-zero technology manufacturing capacity by 2030 through initiatives like Net-Zero Academies and the Pact for Skills. However, despite these efforts, there remains a significant gap between policy aspirations and practical implementation at the local level. The urgency of the green transition outpaces the current rate of skills development, leading to a mismatch between workforce capabilities and industry demands.

Study on skills

Due to the urgency of this need, Eurocities has published a study on building a skilled and resilient workforce at the local level. The study finds that involving cities in the governance and delivery of European Net-Zero academies is essential, adapting programmes and initiatives to local circumstances. Acknowledging on-the-ground initiatives already implemented at the local level can help cities identify the specific means and needs of their decarbonisation efforts, ensuring a just transition with no one left behind.

To achieve this, the study’s authors note, it will be necessary for cities to secure long-term funding for the continuity and effectiveness of green skills development initiatives. Public investments, alongside flexible and better-aligned EU funding instruments for green skills development locally, can ensure consistency, predictability, and help to leverage additional private funding streams.

City administrations play a crucial role in funding these initiatives, often alongside private and public entities. For example, CEAR Madrid’s training-work itineraries are funded by the Madrid City Council’s Employment Agency. Similarly, Marseille has provided financial support for the Ecole de Production des Energies du Sud. However, most funding is short-term. Only consistent, long-term financial support can ensure that skills development aligns with market needs and responds to new environmental, technological, and societal goals.

Inclusive training

Vocational education and training programmes are a widespread method for upskilling and reskilling the workforce. Cities collaborate with educational institutions, industry associations, and other stakeholders to design tailored training programmes that meet local needs.

These initiatives often target marginalised populations, including youth, refugees, and individuals facing socio-economic barriers. “The green transition must be inclusive,” Coffineau asserts. “By focusing on marginalised groups, we can build a more resilient and equitable green economy.”

Local challenges

Cities face several challenges in their efforts to upskill their workforces for the green transition. Job attractiveness is a significant issue, as there is often a lack of awareness about opportunities in green sectors, which are also dogged by misconceptions. This leads to low participation rates in training programmes. Despite the growing demand for skilled workers, some green jobs are not perceived as attractive career options, which further complicates recruitment efforts.

“Employment standards present another challenge,” Coffineau says. Some cities have encountered difficulties in aligning company standards with the capabilities of trained individuals from diverse backgrounds. “One solution could be if employers adopt more inclusive recruitment practices to accommodate candidates from all types educational and professional backgrounds – otherwise people who are capable of the job might miss out due to overly stringent hiring criteria,” Coffineau adds.

Effective partnerships

Building effective partnerships is key to overcoming these challenges, Eurocities’ study suggests. Cities often share competences with regional and national levels, particularly in areas such as economic development, education, and funding allocation. Regional administrations frequently possess the capacity to address the requisite skills necessary for the successful implementation of local initiatives.

For example, the Région Sud provides significant support and resources for Marseille’s solar school initiative. Similarly, the Region des-Hauts-de-France has contributed to identifying the necessary skills for the Electro’Mob project, drawing upon its comprehensive understanding of the regional economic landscape and industrial demands.

On the local level, Vienna’s Öko-Booster Project involves collaboration between the Vienna Chamber of Labour, the Employment Promotion Fund, vocational education and training centres, and other stakeholders to design and implement training programmes.

While cities are at the forefront of Europe’s green transition, they require coordinated support and innovative strategies to build a skilled and resilient workforce. By addressing the skills gap, promoting inclusive training programmes, and securing long-term funding, cities can drive the green transition and ensure a sustainable and equitable future for all. In the words of Coffineau, “The future of Europe’s green transition lies in the hands of our cities. By empowering them with the right tools and resources, we can achieve our climate goals and build a brighter, more sustainable future.”

Read the full study and recommendations here.

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Anthony Colclough Eurocities Writer

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