Education and Skills for Inclusive Growth, Green Jobs and the Greening of Economies in Asia: Case Study Summaries of India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam

Abstract

International interest in sustainable and inclusive growth has gained impetus because of the recognition that the “brown” economy model does not address global issues such as growing inequality and social marginalization, environmental degradation, and resource depletion. Evidence has shown that the “green” economy is a potential source of employment, can halt further productivity loss, and can address climate change and environmental degradation. Broadly, three kinds of skills sets for green jobs can be identified. The first is general sustainability literacy, predominantly in the form of soft skills, awareness, and action competence. The second set includes occupation-specific science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills, while the third set encompasses leadership and management skills aimed at green transition. Many of these skills exist and are transferable, but need to be further strengthened and mainstreamed, or complemented with additional green concepts and practices. Others, such as broader STEM skills and leadership skills are missing. All present particular opportunities for the training sector. Each of the four countries studied—India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam—as part of this Asian Development Bank (ADB)–Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) research study, presents an overview of main research findings concerning education and skills for inclusive growth, green jobs, and the greening of the economy for each country. This includes examples of government and business sector responses to the issues and challenges being addressed, and examples of how technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems and institutions are addressing both the revision of curricula in the context of green growth dynamics and patterns of training and skills development for meeting demands. The research study reported on in this book is unique. The findings, conclusions, and recommendations are based on primary data that were specifically collected for the study. Similar studies conducted in Asia have relied largely on the secondary sources of data, and report on existing research and related literature. By comparison, this study—in addition to reporting on existing research and related literature—surveyed TVET providers and business enterprises and examined survey responses of policy makers and practitioners on key aspects of education and skills for inclusive growth and the greening of economies. In addition, in-country workshops were held in each of the four countries to ascertain the views of key stakeholders in government, nongovernment organizations, members of the international development community, TVET providers, and members of the business sector. These workshops were organized to discuss key aspects of green growth, green jobs, inclusive growth, and the greening of economies, and to discuss the main findings emerging from the research. In addition to reporting on research findings from India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam, this book examines cross-cutting issues, concerns, and prospects regarding education and skills for inclusive growth and green jobs for the four countries. These are critical themes and issues in the selected industry sectors triggering a demand for green jobs in the region; how industry is responding to those demands; areas impeding the transition from traditional to green practices; the importance of skills development, especially green skills, with regard to successful examples and the reasons for their success; the role of TVET in addressing industry needs; reasons for the slow response of TVET toward green skills, and key impediments; and, what works concerning initiatives from countries to fast-track reforms in TVET to facilitate inclusive growth and the greening of economies. The research study provides recommendations to help manage the transition toward green and inclusive growth presents a suggested framework for implementation of potential strategies and policy initiatives, and examines areas for further research. Summaries are provided in this book of the case studies undertaken for India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam.