Having green skills will add more job opportunities

What are "green skills"?

According to Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh Cat, an entrepreneur with the men's fashion brand Catsa and women's fashion brand Catci (HCMC), "green skills" are a set of skills, knowledge and attitudes that help individuals effectively use green technologies and processes in a professional working environment. Thereby, contributing to sustainable development, protecting the environment and minimizing negative impacts of humans on the planet. "Green skills include aspects such as using resources efficiently, minimizing waste, and increasing renewable energy," Ms. Cat said.

Ms. Huynh Thanh Huong, representative of the recruitment department of AEON Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City), said: "In the context of the environment calling for help, businesses and the labor market changing, new job opportunities... are the reasons why "green skills" play an important role in helping young people have more job opportunities."

Many employers say that “green skills” give young people a big advantage in the labor market.

Ms. Tran Thi Thu Hien, Director of LPC Trading and Service Company Limited (HCMC), said that the world is entering the transition to a green economy . Vietnam is no exception and has set a net zero target (zero net emissions) by 2050. "Therefore, green transformation is an inevitable requirement for most industries. And young people need to be equipped with green skills to welcome new job opportunities," Ms. Hien shared.

Mr. Hoang Thanh Son, in charge of recruitment at Minh Ha Food Processing Company, Binh Chanh District (HCMC), said that during the recruitment process, the company always prioritizes candidates who mention "green skills" in their application. "It can be said that people with "green skills" have a high chance of finding a job," Mr. Son emphasized.

According to Ms. Nguyen Quynh Hai, in charge of recruitment at Dinh Quynh Q&P Company Limited (District 7, Ho Chi Minh City), there are important groups of "green skills" that young people need to pay attention to. Accordingly, the group of "green professional skills" includes skills and techniques serving industries related to sustainable development such as: renewable energy production, waste treatment, environmentally friendly urban planning, organic agriculture , biotechnology. For example, a solar energy engineer needs to understand how to install and maintain solar panel systems, optimize energy efficiency, etc.

Ms. Hai added that another group of "green skills" is in daily work. Specifically, every profession can apply "green skills" to minimize environmental impact. Office workers can limit printing paper, use electronic documents, and turn off electrical equipment when not needed. Shop owners can switch to using paper bags and bio-based packaging. Young people running restaurants can reduce food waste by planning to use ingredients reasonably...

To improve "green skills"

Mr. Le Hoai Phong, Deputy Director of Lotus Holdings Company (District 12, Ho Chi Minh City), said: "Many people think that a green lifestyle is very difficult to implement, but in fact, it can start from the smallest things. Just be conscious, do one small thing every day, and gradually it will form a habit."

Mr. Phong advised young people to build a "green mindset" in their daily lives in a number of simple ways; for example, using recycled products. Instead of buying new plastic products, people should choose products made from recycled materials; household items can also be reused instead of thrown away...

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh Cat said: "Each individual can contribute to protecting the environment with small actions. For example, set a goal of not using plastic bags for a month, reduce meat consumption, use bicycles instead of motorbikes. Or participate in environmental protection campaigns when there are currently many volunteer organizations planting trees, cleaning up beaches. Or you can share knowledge, inspire family and friends by introducing simple but effective ways to live green. Above all, when the world is changing rapidly, new technologies and solutions for the environment are constantly emerging, it is necessary to continuously learn. Updating knowledge will help each person apply more effective methods".

Ms. Tran Thi Thu Hien believes that to improve "green skills", young people themselves must have awareness of sustainability. Accordingly, each individual can learn through online courses, attend seminars, read books on sustainable development, learn about topics such as renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable consumption, etc.

Ms. Hien also suggested that "green skills" should be trained right from school. "Education on environmental protection and sustainable development should be included in the curriculum from primary to university. Universities can open more courses on environmental engineering, green economy, and sustainable design. These courses are not only for environmental students but should be expanded to many other fields," Ms. Hien suggested.

According to Dr. Nguyen Van Son, Department of Communications and Student Affairs (Ho Chi Minh City Branch of Thuyloi University), it is undeniable that having "green skills" will give young people a huge advantage in the labor market.

"To help young people have 'green skills', businesses should have support policies. Companies can organize internal training programs on efficient resource use, reducing carbon emissions, converting to green production models; have policies to encourage employees to adopt a green lifestyle such as limiting the use of plastic in the office, implementing energy saving programs...", Mr. Son said.

Source: http://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/129393/Co-