GOVERNMENT says there is need for reskilling and upskilling of the education sector to catch up with the demand for green jobs.
This involves reskilling and up-skilling to keep pace with the evolving energy landscape, particularly in sustainable practices and renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
Speaking at the 6th edition of the International Renewable Energy Conference and Expo in Victoria Falls, Skills Audit and Development permanent secretary Rudo Chitiga said the ministry was working to strategically prepare for technological changes that are taking place for adaptation to climate change as well as preparing for jobs in the future in different strategic areas in the country.
“The ministry is, therefore, a support service ministry that works with all those between labour and education in terms of the supply and demand of labour and ensure that there is agility in curriculum development to adapt to the changes that are taking place, but also that leave, in the marketplace, industry and the public service,” she said.
“According to the International Labour Organisation, green jobs contribute to environmental sustainability across many sectors, including the opportunity for dealing with the challenges of adaptation, the challenges of creating jobs for young people also, dealing with the aspect of adaptation to green jobs, how do green jobs come about.”
She noted that there was a need for clear policy mechanisms and educational structures in schools and universities for it to happen.
“This comes through clear policy development, clear technology and developments that industry, government and the learning institutions should work together in their development,” Chitiga said.
“The green economy is really the key aspect when we talk about the future of jobs, whether it is climate smart, whether it is technologically compliant or adaptable.
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“We are talking about the adaptation skills that are required for us to do the shifts rather than just a piecemeal shift of one industry, leading by example.”
She added: “We would like to adopt a more appropriate technological approach and have the correct equipment that can be used to have an impact on the skills.
“So, we are still at the theory stage where we are imparting theory and not the practical skills that the students need. Accelerating green jobs and accelerating the green column group help us to create several jobs.
“The estimation in the Green Jobs Assessment Report for Zimbabwe says commercial solar and biogas policies and practices can create 10 000 jobs each year.”
She said priority should be given to retooling in schools and universities.
“So, the priority is retooling. The priority is also reskilling the teachers that we have in training in utilising the different technologies that are required and also to then impart skills in those areas,” Chitiga said.
“We do not look just at ourselves, but we look at places of learning, the centres of excellence in green jobs and in green skills development, where we can scale, to replicate all the initiatives available.”
In construction, the permanent secretary said, the aspect of green construction and the knowledge on how to do things the green way is what is now missing.
“There are gaps in the current knowledge that require reskilling, upskilling of our current workforce. We are not saying you need a totally new workforce. We are saying, reskill what we currently have. We have a lot of builders, but they do not have the knowledge of building in a green way is what we are looking to do.”
Chitiga said the government was working on providing the necessary input that is required for transition.
“Do we do it through YouTube channels? Do we do it through refresher courses? Do we do this with developing modules that we can bring different calls to bring up their skills?
“These are strategies that the ministry is exploring, but also would like to hear from you in terms of what your needs are, what the gaps are at the moment. We have always challenged our training institutions to say no polytechnic trains students without a focus on sustainability and green jobs,” she said.
“We are also looking at what skills are required in terms of planning and programming for transitions. I think we need to commit to changes before we strategically plan the transition.
“The transition is not just at the company level, government level or community level.
“The transitions are at different levels, and we need to look at that, in terms of providing the just transition that is required.”
