12 October 2026
Challenges for vocational training in the green transition
An OECD policy paper examines the challenges facing vocational education and training to meet the demands of the transition to a green economy, based on a survey of 27 OECD member countries.
As the shift to a sustainable economy creates technological and structural shifts in industry and the economy, vocational education and training systems will need to adapt.
The paper focuses on three key challenges, which it sees as being interconnected. First, the systems to update qualifications and keep them relevant to meet changing demands, are unable to keep pace. This is exacerbated by gaps in ‘technical, foundational, and sustainability competences across VET programmes’.
It also highlights that those teaching vocational training may not be familiar with
emerging technologies, especially in the sustainability space. And finally, there is an ongoing low level of participation in training by workers who are most likely to be affected by the changes that a green economy will drive.
To overcome these shortcomings, the paper identifies a series of policy challenges that need to be addressed. These range from anticipating the skills needs to build them in =-to vocational education, to building foundational and sustainability skills into training systemically, and providing career guidance to those who are affected by the green transition.
Read more about the OECD analysis of vocational training for the green transition.
As the shift to a sustainable economy creates technological and structural shifts in industry and the economy, vocational education and training systems will need to adapt.
The paper focuses on three key challenges, which it sees as being interconnected. First, the systems to update qualifications and keep them relevant to meet changing demands, are unable to keep pace. This is exacerbated by gaps in ‘technical, foundational, and sustainability competences across VET programmes’.
It also highlights that those teaching vocational training may not be familiar with
emerging technologies, especially in the sustainability space. And finally, there is an ongoing low level of participation in training by workers who are most likely to be affected by the changes that a green economy will drive.
To overcome these shortcomings, the paper identifies a series of policy challenges that need to be addressed. These range from anticipating the skills needs to build them in =-to vocational education, to building foundational and sustainability skills into training systemically, and providing career guidance to those who are affected by the green transition.
Read more about the OECD analysis of vocational training for the green transition.
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