In the context of increasingly evident climate change and the transition to a green economy, the issue of green skills is crucial for the future development of the economy and labor market. The Center for Energy, Environment, and Resources – CENER 21, therefore, spoke with Prof. Dr. Sanda Midžić Kurtagić, a professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Sarajevo, to highlight the role of these skills in the green transition.
Green skills encompass abilities aimed at minimizing environmental pollution, avoiding the use of non-renewable resources, recycling waste, and reducing energy consumption. With a growing focus on sustainability, these skills contribute not only to environmental preservation but are also key to economic resilience. As more industries adopt sustainable practices in line with international regulations, such as the European Green Deal, the development of green skills has become indispensable for competitiveness. In this regard, technical and vocational education and training play a critical role in the green transition.
Technical and vocational education is especially important in this transition, providing the younger generation with the necessary skills to move from the educational system to the labor market.
“High-quality technical and vocational education enables students to successfully transition to the labor market, preparing them for positions that require precisely the skills needed in a greener economy. Secondary vocational education and training are also crucial for ensuring opportunities for the upskilling and retraining of adults – supporting workers facing changes due to the green transition or needing to move to new, greener jobs. Furthermore, this education helps employers recognize opportunities for additional training of their employees, particularly in the context of introducing green technologies and adapting processes that enhance energy efficiency and reduce resource intensity in production,” highlights Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić.
When asked how the education system in BiH currently contributes to the development of green skills, Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić emphasized that progress in this area is primarily visible at universities. “Technical faculties, such as mechanical, civil engineering, and technological faculties, as well as natural science faculties (chemical engineering, biology-ecology), already integrate green skills into their study programs”, the professor explains. Secondary vocational education follows this process through adapted curricula. According to the document “Qualification Standards and Occupational Standards”, green skills are integrated into 28 professions. An example of such education is the profession of mechanical technician (CNC machine operator), where skills such as proper waste storage and disposal and the application of environmental protection measures have become an integral part of training. However, Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić points out that further improvement of this integration is necessary for the education system to fully meet the labor market requirements and the green transition.
The private sector in BiH already recognizes the importance of green skills and actively participates in the transition process. Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić notes that companies are becoming increasingly aware that employees with these skills are crucial for the successful implementation of sustainable practices. “Employers insist on accelerating the reform of the education system to align with the labor market requirements and the green transition” the professor stated. The increased demand for personnel with green skills comes from both university and vocational education programs, as these skills are becoming critical for business success in the context of sustainable technologies.
As education becomes a key factor in addressing climate change, the European Union is developing strategies that encourage the development of green skills necessary for a sustainable transition. The European Green Deal, which aims to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy, ensuring net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, emphasizes the need for acquiring new skills that will enable the transition to a sustainable and circular economy. This process brings significant changes to the labor market, requiring workers to acquire skills related to the climate crisis and sustainable practices. In this context, the European Skills Agenda, adopted in 2020, calls for a ‘skills paradigm shift’ and includes key goals and actions related to greening and skill development. Additionally, in June 2022, the Council of the European Union adopted a Recommendation on learning for the green transition and sustainable development, which sets out how sustainability can be integrated at all levels of education and training. This document calls on all EU member states to offer students opportunities to learn about the climate crisis and sustainability in formal education (primary, secondary, and higher) as well as non-formal education (such as extracurricular activities and youth work).
Accordingly, Bosnia and Herzegovina, by adopting the Green Agenda, has committed to improving waste management and resource efficiency. However, as Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić emphasizes, the implementation of these reforms is progressing slowly, particularly in terms of integrating green, digital, and entrepreneurial skills into the education system.
To ensure that the BiH education system adequately meets the labor market’s needs in the context of the green transition, key measures are needed to accelerate reforms. According to the professor, it is necessary to align strategies at all levels of education with the aim of integrating green skills. “This involves amending existing occupational standards and creating new standards that include green learning outcomes. It also requires revising curricula, updating textbooks, and developing teacher manuals to adapt the education system to labor market needs in the green economy. Additionally, the professor mentions the creation of an educational web platform with multimedia materials for learning and teaching, teacher training, and equipping schools with the necessary teaching equipment. Only in this way, the BiH education system can meet the demands of the green economy”, explains Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić.
Ultimately, specific green skills are of great importance for domestic companies in industries such as metal processing, wood processing, and construction. Regarding the specific green skills that would be beneficial for domestic companies in these sectors, Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić lists several key skills: “Workers should have the ability to recognize the negative impacts of work processes on the environment and know how to apply appropriate measures to mitigate them. Additionally, knowledge and the ability to apply the goals and principles of environmental protection regulations, as well as the ability to use resources and energy efficiently, are crucial for success in these industries. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop skills for waste reduction through reuse and recycling, as well as the ability to properly handle and store hazardous materials.”
Green skills are becoming an increasingly important foundation for successful adaptation to the demands of sustainable development and the green transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The education system, especially technical faculties and vocational education, must accelerate the integration of these skills to adequately respond to labor market needs. With the support of the private sector and state strategies, the development of skills that enable efficient resource use and reduce the negative environmental impact will be key for the country’s long-term sustainability and economic progress in line with European goals.
Conducting an interview on the topic of green skills in BiH represents efforts of the non-governmental organization Center for Energy, Environment, and Resources – CENER 21 – towards enhancing public capacity through informing and engaging them with the topic of energy security. This activity is carried out within the framework of the “Contribution to energy security (Security of Supply) through green energy transition – SoS” project supported by the SMART Balkans National interventions grant line, which aims to support energy transition, strengthen energy security in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and contribute to fulfilling national/entity strategic documents and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The project is implemented under the regional SMART Balkans – Civil society for shared society in the Western Balkans project, executed by the Center for Promotion of Civil Society (CPCD), Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM), and Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), with financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway. The content of the interview is the sole responsibility of the Center for Energy, Environment, and Resources – CENER 21 and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Center for Promotion of Civil Society, Center for Research and Policy Making, Institute for Democracy and Mediation, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway.
In the context of increasingly evident climate change and the transition to a green economy, the issue of green skills is crucial for the future development of the economy and labor market. The Center for Energy, Environment, and Resources – CENER 21, therefore, spoke with Prof. Dr. Sanda Midžić Kurtagić, a professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Sarajevo, to highlight the role of these skills in the green transition.
Green skills encompass abilities aimed at minimizing environmental pollution, avoiding the use of non-renewable resources, recycling waste, and reducing energy consumption. With a growing focus on sustainability, these skills contribute not only to environmental preservation but are also key to economic resilience. As more industries adopt sustainable practices in line with international regulations, such as the European Green Deal, the development of green skills has become indispensable for competitiveness. In this regard, technical and vocational education and training play a critical role in the green transition.
Technical and vocational education is especially important in this transition, providing the younger generation with the necessary skills to move from the educational system to the labor market.
“High-quality technical and vocational education enables students to successfully transition to the labor market, preparing them for positions that require precisely the skills needed in a greener economy. Secondary vocational education and training are also crucial for ensuring opportunities for the upskilling and retraining of adults – supporting workers facing changes due to the green transition or needing to move to new, greener jobs. Furthermore, this education helps employers recognize opportunities for additional training of their employees, particularly in the context of introducing green technologies and adapting processes that enhance energy efficiency and reduce resource intensity in production,” highlights Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić.
When asked how the education system in BiH currently contributes to the development of green skills, Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić emphasized that progress in this area is primarily visible at universities. “Technical faculties, such as mechanical, civil engineering, and technological faculties, as well as natural science faculties (chemical engineering, biology-ecology), already integrate green skills into their study programs”, the professor explains. Secondary vocational education follows this process through adapted curricula. According to the document “Qualification Standards and Occupational Standards”, green skills are integrated into 28 professions. An example of such education is the profession of mechanical technician (CNC machine operator), where skills such as proper waste storage and disposal and the application of environmental protection measures have become an integral part of training. However, Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić points out that further improvement of this integration is necessary for the education system to fully meet the labor market requirements and the green transition.
The private sector in BiH already recognizes the importance of green skills and actively participates in the transition process. Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić notes that companies are becoming increasingly aware that employees with these skills are crucial for the successful implementation of sustainable practices. “Employers insist on accelerating the reform of the education system to align with the labor market requirements and the green transition” the professor stated. The increased demand for personnel with green skills comes from both university and vocational education programs, as these skills are becoming critical for business success in the context of sustainable technologies.
As education becomes a key factor in addressing climate change, the European Union is developing strategies that encourage the development of green skills necessary for a sustainable transition. The European Green Deal, which aims to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy, ensuring net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, emphasizes the need for acquiring new skills that will enable the transition to a sustainable and circular economy. This process brings significant changes to the labor market, requiring workers to acquire skills related to the climate crisis and sustainable practices. In this context, the European Skills Agenda, adopted in 2020, calls for a ‘skills paradigm shift’ and includes key goals and actions related to greening and skill development. Additionally, in June 2022, the Council of the European Union adopted a Recommendation on learning for the green transition and sustainable development, which sets out how sustainability can be integrated at all levels of education and training. This document calls on all EU member states to offer students opportunities to learn about the climate crisis and sustainability in formal education (primary, secondary, and higher) as well as non-formal education (such as extracurricular activities and youth work).
Accordingly, Bosnia and Herzegovina, by adopting the Green Agenda, has committed to improving waste management and resource efficiency. However, as Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić emphasizes, the implementation of these reforms is progressing slowly, particularly in terms of integrating green, digital, and entrepreneurial skills into the education system.
To ensure that the BiH education system adequately meets the labor market’s needs in the context of the green transition, key measures are needed to accelerate reforms. According to the professor, it is necessary to align strategies at all levels of education with the aim of integrating green skills. “This involves amending existing occupational standards and creating new standards that include green learning outcomes. It also requires revising curricula, updating textbooks, and developing teacher manuals to adapt the education system to labor market needs in the green economy. Additionally, the professor mentions the creation of an educational web platform with multimedia materials for learning and teaching, teacher training, and equipping schools with the necessary teaching equipment. Only in this way, the BiH education system can meet the demands of the green economy”, explains Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić.
Ultimately, specific green skills are of great importance for domestic companies in industries such as metal processing, wood processing, and construction. Regarding the specific green skills that would be beneficial for domestic companies in these sectors, Prof. Dr. Midžić Kurtagić lists several key skills: “Workers should have the ability to recognize the negative impacts of work processes on the environment and know how to apply appropriate measures to mitigate them. Additionally, knowledge and the ability to apply the goals and principles of environmental protection regulations, as well as the ability to use resources and energy efficiently, are crucial for success in these industries. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop skills for waste reduction through reuse and recycling, as well as the ability to properly handle and store hazardous materials.”
Green skills are becoming an increasingly important foundation for successful adaptation to the demands of sustainable development and the green transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The education system, especially technical faculties and vocational education, must accelerate the integration of these skills to adequately respond to labor market needs. With the support of the private sector and state strategies, the development of skills that enable efficient resource use and reduce the negative environmental impact will be key for the country’s long-term sustainability and economic progress in line with European goals.
Conducting an interview on the topic of green skills in BiH represents efforts of the non-governmental organization Center for Energy, Environment, and Resources – CENER 21 – towards enhancing public capacity through informing and engaging them with the topic of energy security. This activity is carried out within the framework of the “Contribution to energy security (Security of Supply) through green energy transition – SoS” project supported by the SMART Balkans National interventions grant line, which aims to support energy transition, strengthen energy security in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and contribute to fulfilling national/entity strategic documents and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
