Mini Forum 2: Skills Development

Today’s world is facing various challenges such as increasing competition, resource scarcity, growing energy demand, greater urbanization and mobility, increased production needs and economic turmoil. These challenges present real threats to our way of life, but also opportunities for development, in particular within the industry sector. The latter is on the cusp of radical change, being rapidly reshaped by new technologies, globalization and environmental concerns that offer many prospects to create new markets and different ways of working.

It’s an exciting time for the industry – as long as we can take on these challenges.

The mini forum will discuss issues and trends on green industrial skills and development, and will provide strategies that will satisfy the industries’ education and training needs in the future.

The forum will address topics such as:

• Why is the development of green industrial skills an issue that requires the urgent intervention of decision-makers?

• What factors influence the specific skills and human capital trends as they relate to green the industrial sector?

• The symbiosis between industry and education: volunteering youth and training for employability and environmental friendly productivity?

• What should be the role of a multilateral development agency in reducing existing skill gaps?

Panelists will come from various academic fields, the private sector as well as non-profit and UN affiliated organizations. Topic areas will range from green post-harvest technologies to wastewater management solutions, youth volunteerism and the transfer of skills. Discussions shall not only allow for the identification of new grounds for cooperation between policy makers, specialized agencies, donors and the private sector but will also allow for the detection of areas of improvement for technical cooperation in the field of green industrial skills for sustainable development.