Keynote speakers: Presha Ramsarup (University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, online), Alessandra Molz (ILO Budapest)

As the climate crisis intensifies, transitioning to a green and just global economy is essential. But do we have the skills needed for this transition? And are we even sure what skills will be needed in the future?
Vocational Education and Training (VET) plays a crucial role, yet especially in low- and middle-income countries, VET systems face major challenges such as financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure, weak labour market relevance, and low social recognition. Another key issue is the tension between VET’s traditional focus on industrial development and the growing need to address environmental sustainability and social justice.

A dynamic debate has emerged on VET’s role in supporting these transitions, with diverse actors – from governments and multilateral organisations to companies, trade unions, civil society, and local communities – proposing a range of solutions. These include specific measures like green job training and broader systemic changes in VET’s role.

Yet critical questions remain, especially in low-income countries, where large parts of the workforce, including informal and unpaid sectors, risk being left behind. While there is general consensus on the principle of leaving no one behind, there is still a lack of clear strategies for implementation.
This event will explore the opportunities and challenges of VET and skills development for green and just transitions. It will bring together academics, policymakers, and civil society to discuss labour market relevance, social inclusion, and justice, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Europe.

> Programme (pdf)

> Summary of the Presentation by the Ethiopian Team

Presentations (pdf):

Keynote 1: Skills for a Green and Just Transition: Unpacking the complexity ( Presha Ramsarup)

Keynote 2: Skills for green and just transitions in South-Eastern Europe: Challenges and potentials (Alessandra Molz)

AG 1 : 
Befekadu Zeleke (Ethiopia)
Fatoumata Dicko (Burkina Faso)
Br. John Ngigi Njuguna (DBTA)
Report from the Working Group

AG 2 :
Ralf Lange (FAKT)
Laurat Raca and Timur Ramiqi (UNICEF Kosovo, online)
Report from the Working Group

Conveners: Austrian Foundation for Development Research (ÖFSE), Austrian Development Agency (ADA)

By participating in this event you consent to the publication of photographs and film footage that are produced by the organizers during the event.