EU to fund development of Estonians' green skills with EUR 15 mln

TALLINN - The European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility is supporting a green skills program of the Estonian Education and Youth Board with 15 million euros, with the purpose of aligning Estonia's educational system with labor market needs and promoting environmental sustainability.

The green skills program includes the development of degree and further education curricula, offering further training and micro-qualifications to support companies' green transitions, and integrating green skills into professional standards and skill profiles. Nearly 80 partners are involved in the program, including 19 vocational institutions, 8 higher education institutions, and 49 professional associations and organizations.

In addition to enhancing curricula, over 3,000 employees of companies, vocational teachers, and lecturers will have the opportunity to participate in green skills training over the next two years. This year alone, nearly 100 training sessions will be conducted.

Anna Traksmaa, head of the green skills program at the Education and Youth Board's department of educational innovation, said that green skills are crucial for the future economy.

"Green skills have been valued in Estonia, but now, in cooperation with educational institutions and business partners, we are reaching a broader definition of which green skills should be integrated into education and subsequently into business. The goal is for companies to be able to adopt environmentally friendly technologies and develop sustainable products and services. On the one hand, awareness fosters demand, and on the other, efficient use of resources is very important, which is something we can only achieve together," Traksmaa said.

The total budget for the green skills program for the period 2023-2026 is 15 million euros, fully funded by the European Union.