Workforce Singapore (WSG), a statutory board under Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, launched a new career conversion program to train 200 workers to help them master skills for green jobs, such as sustainability reporting and carbon management, as reported by Strait Times on December 3. According to WSG, learning about carbon management could enable workers to undertake tasks such as preparing carbon emission data and conducting cost and impact analysis on carbon emissions for stakeholders. Through the program, workers could also acquire skills in regulatory compliance and emission reporting to qualify for sustainability auditing work, which ensures that company processes abide by sustainability-related regulations and laws. Furthermore, WSG will provide funding to employers for up to 70% of a trainee’s monthly salary.  

WSG’s Career Conversion Programs are intended to reskill Singaporeans to allow them to develop new capabilities to fill the position in growth areas or redesigned job roles. The new program targeting talents for green jobs will also support the creation of new jobs like sustainability officers and carbon analysts. Some sectors involved in the program, including built environment and construction, energy and power, and consultancy, would have a robust demand for skills in carbon management and cost analysis. According to a global study of job searches by LinkedIn, from 2016 to 2021, Asia Pacific witnessed 30% growth in hiring for green jobs, namely jobs that cannot be done without sustainability skills. During the same period, green jobs in the US and Europe increased by 70% and 41%, respectively.

Sources:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/new-career-conversion-programme-to-prepare-workers-for-green-roles-like-carbon-management

https://conversion.mycareersfuture.gov.sg/Portal/ProgramListing.aspx?source=PCP

https://www.eco-business.com/news/mind-the-esg-skills-gap-asias-workforce-is-greening-too-slowly/