Frequently Asked Questions
What are skills for sustainability?
Skills for sustainability, also known as green skills, are the professional and vocational skills, as well as the generic skills (such as sustainable approaches, innovation and problem solving) required for new green jobs and the greening of existing jobs across all industry sectors as a response to climate change and sustainability imperatives. (Green Skills Agreement 2009)
What is a green economy?
The United Nations Environmental Programme describes a green economy as one that ‘results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy is one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.’ (UNEP, 2011, Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication – A Synthesis for Policy Makers)
How do I get a green job?
The Australian Government has not adopted a national definition of green jobs, while the OECD defines green jobs as: ‘as jobs that contribute to protecting the environment and reducing the harmful effects human activity has on it (mitigation), or to helping to better cope with current climate change conditions (adaptation).’
The Australian Government is focused on the concept of skills for sustainability, also known as ‘green skills’.
The Australian Government uses the term ‘skills for sustainability’ to describe the technical skills, knowledge, values and attitudes needed in the workforce to develop and support sustainable social, economic and environmental outcomes in business, industry and the community.
Many jobs involve the use of skills for sustainability.
How is the Australian Government helping Australian business and industry prepare for the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy?
The Australian Government is implementing policies that will support the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is investing in initiatives that will help Australians access high quality, industry-relevant skills for sustainability and ensure that Australian business and industry is equipped to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the transition.
The Green Skills Agreement
On 7 December 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed the Green Skills Agreement. The objectives of the Agreement are to:
- develop national standards in skills for sustainability within the requirements of the national regulatory framework
- upskill VET practitioners so they can provide effective training and facilitation in skills for sustainability
- review and revise Training Packages to incorporate skills for sustainability
- implement strategies to reskill vulnerable workers in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Find out more about the Green Skills Agreement.
The Skills for the Carbon Challenge initiative
The Skills for the Carbon Challenge initiative provides national leadership in building the capacity of the tertiary education sector to supply the skills needed for workers and businesses to prosper in a low-carbon economy. This initiative supports:
- investing in research to develop a better understanding of the underlying skills issues associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy and appropriate responses
- presenting the Skills for Sustainability – Educational Institution Award to encourage excellence in the delivery of education and training for sustainability.
Find out more about the Skills for the Carbon Challenge.
Green Skills Forum 2009
On Friday 23 October 2009 more than 120 business leaders, sustainability experts and government representatives attended a Green Skills Forum in Melbourne to discuss a draft national Green Skills Agreement and the broader skills and training implications of transitioning to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Find out more about the Green Skills Forum.
National VET Sector Sustainability Action Plan 2009-2012
The National VET Sector Sustainability Action Plan (NVSSAP) 2009-2012 was endorsed by the Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education (MCVTE) on 12 June 2009.
Find out more about the National VET Sector Sustainability Action Plan.
Teaching and Learning Capital Fund for VET 2009-2010
The Australian Government announced the Teaching and Learning Capital Fund for Vocational Education and Training (VET) as part of a $4.7 billion national-building infrastructure package to support Australia’s economy.
The TLCF (VET) provided $500 million during the 2009‐10 financial year which will be distributed through initiatives focused on modernising and improving the quality of teaching and learning across the vocational education and training sector.
Find out more about the Teaching and Learning Capital Fund for VET.
The BIG Skills Conference 2009
The BIG Skills Conference was held from 2-5 March 2009 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.Over 1000 delegates, from all over Australia and the world, participated.
The key themes and messages from the conference included the role of skills and training in tough economic times, climate change and sustainability, and the changing tertiary education and training landscape in Australia.
Find out more about the BIG Skills Conference.
What does it mean to embed skills for sustainability in Australian VET programs?
Embedding skills for sustainability into Australian VET Training Packages can be achieved:
- through the development and inclusion of specific units of competency
- by integrating skills for sustainability into existing units of competency by reviewing unit elements such as performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, evidence guides and method of assessment.
Specific units of competency have been built into the bulk of Training Packages.
For example, the Certificate level II/III unit ‘Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices’, has been incorporated into a range of program areas including business, tourism, hospitality and events.
The unit covers efficient resource use, potential environmental hazards, regulatory compliance and improving environmental performance. It provides students with a basic understanding of workplace sustainability issues and the skills and knowledge to respond to those issues.
Similarly, skills for sustainability have been built into units in other trades Training Packages, including the manufacturing and water industry Training Packages.
Embedding skills for sustainability into existing units of competency is the second way of integrating green skills into Training Packages.
For example, the performance criteria for the construction unit ‘Apply decorative paint finishes’ require students to identify and apply environmental requirements and regulatory obligations for a project, and to dispose of paint waste, water and solvents in an environmentally sustainable manner and in accordance with relevant legislative requirements.
How can skills for sustainability be identified and assessed?
An objective of the Green Skills Agreement is to upskill VET practitioners so they can provide effective training and facilitation in skills for sustainability.
To guide assessors, Training Packages generally identify the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge for a unit of competency.
Packages also provide an evidence guide for assessment, which includes an overview of assessment, critical aspects for assessment, evidence required to demonstrate competency, the context of, and specific resources for, assessment and the method of assessment.