Green economy depends on training

There are going to be significant job opportunities in coming years in the "green economy" - but only if new training in sustainable development is introduced in the workforce.

That is the view of Comhar the Sustainable Development Council which has launched a new report claiming there is significant jobs potential in areas such as retrofitting of the existing housing stock with insulation and other energy saving technologies as the and the development of renewable energies.

The report also found significant jobs potential in areas such as information technology management of carbon usage, sustainable supply systems which reduce energy and carbon demand and 'green purchasing' - particularly by the civil service.

While the report argued there is scope for trades people such as plasters, electricians, plumbers to retrain in theory and practice of energy saving and carbon management, it highlighted the need to produce more specialist graduates to realise the full potential of the emerging green economy.

The report argued Ireland's economic crisis offered an opportunity "to fundamentally change the way our economy and society operate", to avoid boom and bust patterns.

Entitled Skills and Training for a Green New Deal the report also warned Ireland could encounter a skills shortage over the coming years if such training wasn't a key part of the Government's employment incentive packages.

But the organisation "unless a concerted effort is made to upskill our existing and prospective labour force, Ireland risks having a skills shortage scenario or - worse still - risks missing the potential boom that a green economy can offer" .

According to said Comhar chairman Frank Convery. "upskilling the workforce" and developing a strong stream of qualified graduates with "green skills" across a range of disciplines is crucial TO creating a green economy.

"To this end, new training programmes for unemployed people should focus on increasing technical skills for renewable energy and specialised construction skills for large transport infrastructure projects, and skills for waste and water infrastructure" He said.

"Traditional apprenticeship programmes need to be modified so that plumbers, electricians and builders have the knowledge and skills to install green technologies. Effectively, we need to start designing multi-disciplinary apprenticeships that cover new technologies.

High-quality graduates, especially at PHD level, will also be required to work in areas relating to the generation, transmission and network management of electric power and also in the design and management of sustainable transport systems. Third-level institutions must adapt and reflect these emerging needs in their programmes," said Professor Convery.