IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i6p2732-d1615818.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Addressing the Demand for Green Skills: Bridging the Gap Between University Outcomes and Industry Requirements

Author

Listed:
  • Tamíris da Costa

    (School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Lorena Irazu Aranda Lopez

    (School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Camila Perussello

    (School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Fiona Quinn

    (School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Quentin G. Crowley

    (School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, Trinity College Dublin, D08 XW7X Dublin, Ireland)

  • Helena McMahon

    (Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technological University, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland)

  • Nicholas M. Holden

    (School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland)

Abstract

The transition to a green economy requires a workforce equipped with green skills to meet the demands of sustainable development and environmental stewardship. This study investigates the alignment between university educational outcomes and industry requirements in Ireland, addressing the persistent gap in green skills. Using a mixed-methods approach, surveys were conducted with students from three Irish universities and companies across diverse sectors. The findings reveal a strong recognition of the importance of green skills among students and companies, yet significant barriers remain. Students report challenges in accessing practical learning experiences, balancing education with personal commitments, and navigating the costs of green certifications. Companies acknowledge the growing need for sustainability expertise but often fail to integrate green skills into recruitment and training strategies, citing high competition for talent and limited awareness of emerging green roles. This study highlights the need for systemic changes in both education and industry. Universities should adopt experiential learning approaches, expand industry collaborations, and ensure flexible access to green education. Companies must prioritise upskilling programmes and align hiring practices with sustainability goals. Policymakers are encouraged to foster public–private partnerships and incentivise investments in green skills development. Addressing these challenges can strengthen the country’s position as a leader in the global green transition, fostering innovation and inclusivity in its workforce.

Suggested Citation

  • Tamíris da Costa & Lorena Irazu Aranda Lopez & Camila Perussello & Fiona Quinn & Quentin G. Crowley & Helena McMahon & Nicholas M. Holden, 2025. "Addressing the Demand for Green Skills: Bridging the Gap Between University Outcomes and Industry Requirements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2732-:d:1615818
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/6/2732/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/6/2732/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sarah Strachan & Alison Greig & Aled Jones, 2022. "Going Green Post COVID-19: Employer Perspectives on Skills Needs," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 37(6), pages 481-506, September.
    2. Derya Ozilhan Ozbey & Gul Coskun Degirmen & Osman Nurullah Berk & Emine Sardagi & Emel Celep & Durmus Koc & Ebru Gozen, 2024. "Green Core Competencies, Green Process Innovation, and Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of Sustainability Consciousness, a Mixed Method Study on Golf Hotels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-27, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Palinski,Michal & Asik,Günes & Gajderowicz,Tomasz & Jakubowski,Maciej & Efsan Nas Ozen & Dhushyanth Raju, 2024. "Identification of an Expanded Inventory of Green Job Titles through AI-Driven Text Mining," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10908, The World Bank.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2732-:d:1615818. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.