The China Funds in Trust Phase III Project was launched in 2019 to enhance the capacity of higher technical education institutions (HTEIs) to respond to the skill needs for national development. This initiative embeds green skills into curricula, particularly within HTEIs.

Green skills development and skills competition

Through an ongoing partnership with UNESCO-UNEVOC, the project supports the development of green and transversal skills – critical for ensuring a sustainable future for Africa’s youth workforce. CFIT Phase III responds to an urgent need in Sub-Saharan Africa to develop climate resilience and adopt sustainable practices. See "additional links" below to learn more about the project.

Priority areas

There is an urgent need to bridge the existing knowledge gap and provide effective, contextually relevant training on green skills, particularly those that consider the green and circular transition.

Project aims

Regional challenges

Africa and the climate crisis

A call for urgent action
This infographic was developed to visually support the ''Green skills training and skills competition'' initiative under the China Funds-in-Trust (CFIT) Phase III Project, which aims to strengthen higher technical education in Africa. It highlights t ...

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What are skills for the green transition?

Everyone has a role to play in the transition to a greener economy. Ultimately, changing behavioural, consumption and production patterns will become integral in mitigating against the debilitating effects of climate change.

The face of the current labour market has altered significantly as societies adapt to make way for cleaner, more renewable technologies. This transition spurs the need for a redefined work force, with both the technical and soft skills to meet the demands of the new labour market.

The skills needed for the green transition, as defined by CEDEFOP (2022), are the requisite skills, knowledge and competencies to effectively live and work in a sustainable society. This relates to both the technical skills that are either occupation specific or can be utilized across sectors, as well as transversal skills – the soft skills linked to sustainable thinking and acting.

Targeted actions

Responding to the challenges faced by the region requires multi-level combined efforts that enable sustainable approaches all round. This calls for a pivot towards greening skills extension and the circular model of economy to ensure resources are utilized to their full capacities. Green skills are essential and cross-cutting competencies for sustainable development, supporting UNESCO-UNEVOC’s mandate to promote the greening of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

It is both necessary and important for teachers to be trained in delivering the green curriculum and for students to have a working knowledge of greening to develop the soft skills needed to operate in today’s changing labour market. To support this, a Training of Teachers (ToT) micro-learning course for students, along with a green skills competition, will take place over July and August 2025.

1. Training of Trainers (ToT): Green skills development in higher technical education
The Training of Trainers seeks to equip educators/trainers at higher technical institutions with the knowledge, resources and approaches to effectively integrate green skills within the curricula, pedagogical practices and assessment of learning. Participants can expect an action driven three-day online workshop supplemented by self-study materials.

• Target date: 5-7 August 2025
• Target group: Educators/trainers and decision-makers from higher technical education institutions

2. Microlearning for students: Empowering youth for the green transition
This aspect of the project features a microlearning component, which will highlight green and circular economy competencies, with a focus on green skills development towards increased employability. Participants will access self-reading materials in an interactive format, followed by a four-day webinar. Click the button below to register and access Micro-learning.

• Target date: 12-15 August 2025
• Target group: Students from HTEIs

3. Green skills competition

The green skills competition has been designed to consolidate the knowledge and experience gained through the green skills training. Students will be required to develop project-based solutions to environmental challenges. Additionally, this is expected to empower students in applying and refining both green and transversal skills relative to their field of study. Trained educators/trainers will serve as mentors for the competition.

• Target date: Mid-August to October 2025
• Target group: Students and educators/trainers

Green skills competition