Climate change and rapid advances in technology are transforming the job market. Workers everywhere must acquire new skills to stay current. The World Economic Forum highlights digital access and technologies such as AI, big data, and cybersecurity as major drivers of change. Meanwhile, the push for climate action is fueling high demand for renewable energy engineers, environmental scientists, and electric vehicle specialists, some of the fastest-growing jobs projected by 2030.

However, a significant gap is emerging. LinkedIn’s data shows that job listings requiring “green” skills rose by 22.4% from 2022 to 2023. That’s nearly twice the 12.3% increase in people with those skills. In other words, companies need qualified workers faster than training programs can provide them. Experts urge education systems to emphasize both digital and environmental skills. UNESCO and the World Bank both stress that investing in technical and vocational training(TVET)equips young people to handle climate, demographic, and technological shifts, while also addressing youth unemployment.

Many countries are responding by updating their education systems. UNESCO’s “Green and Digital TVET” project, for instance, aims to give young people the climate-smart and tech-savvy skills they will need. Learning extends beyond traditional classrooms, combining online courses, hands-on apprenticeships, and collaboration with industry helps workers adapt quickly. Short courses and micro-credentials offer more flexibility. Internships in clean technology and training for green startups provide valuable experience.

Yet, major obstacles remain. Not everyone has equal access to digital resources. Environmental education is inconsistent, and women and rural youth are often left out. Most countries still haven’t made green skills training mandatory, so the “green skills crisis” continues to grow. Governments and companies are beginning to respond with revised curricula, apprenticeships, and boot camps.

Teaching green and digital skills now is about more than just job placement. It is an investment in a fairer and more sustainable future. If education is inclusive and countries collaborate, society stands to gain much more than simply filling jobs.