Home | Career Choices | Management Compass | Subscription Form | Advertise with us | Feedback | Archive | Site Map | Contact Us

Last updated Aug 16, 2010 12:10 PM SKILLS AHEAD> LEAD STORY

S ▪ CAMPUS UPDATE
K National Conference on ‘Green Jobs’
I With a rapid spread of globalisation, the impending issues are also becoming the hot talks of the tinsel
› In for Corporate wars town(s)
L
L Outbound to Padampuri – Knowing
› Thyself By Jyoti K. Singh
S
Grow first, clean up later’, is a philosophy that most of the businesses in the modern world seem to be following. But this mode
› SMS shining poses rigorous threats over sustainable development. Progress made through messy enterprises is not sustainable at all –
A
H financially, socially, and even environmentally. And it was this augmentation of awareness only that gave way to the sprouting
› The connections of a concept – ‘Decent Work for sustainable development’ that was first put across the world in the Director General’s report
E
during the 96th session of International Labor Conference. It further gave way to the ‘Green Jobs Initiative’ started by ILO in
A › more ›› 2007.
D
▪ SPECIAL STORY There has been no looking back since then. Many countries including India, Philippines, China, Bangladesh, and Thailand have
piloted the project thereon. In India, continuous efforts have been made to foster sustainable development through green jobs.
› Money Matters Policymakers have been striving hard to exhibit pioneer approaches for generating environment friendly jobs thereby promoting
decent work and enhanced ecological feat of existing jobs.
› Schooling with a difference National Conference
In view of the above-mentioned facts only, the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Government of India, and the International
Labor Office organised a National Conference on Green Jobs in the last week of June in New Delhi. The conference observed
› A wilted demonstration
participation from subject-matter experts from all over the country and served as a forum for discussing emerging trends for
greener job options and case studies in the country. Transitioning to greener economies remained to be the core agenda of the
› more ››
conference followed by sector based discussions over topics such as effective management of waste, renewable sources
of energy, and green buildings.
▪ INDUSTRY NEWS
Mr. Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Ministry of Labor and Employment, Government of India, gave
CII’s Healthcare Committee meets the inaugural address. He said, “The recent economic downturn, has given policymakers, an opportunity, to take a second look,
› Raksha TPA on Cashless Issue at their growth strategies, which includes, serious structural change to a low carbon economy, with proper investment in the
right direction.” Explaining the aim of this entire exercise of creating greener jobs, he stated that promoting social transition to
Steep rise in kindergarten fees by green jobs requires careful thought, as the government lays special emphasis over the creation of sustainable job
opportunities.
› 120%, pinches the parents most:
ASSOCHAM ‘Green jobs’ imply
› more ›› Any job which has the mettle to decrease adverse environmental impacts of business enterprises, can be termed a ‘green job.’
In more specific terms, one can apprehend that these are jobs, which are capable of using high-end strategies for protecting
bio-diversity and ecosystems both thereby minimising pollution and the residual wastes. “A green job is one, that helps to bring
about, and maintain a transition, to environmentally sustainable forms of production and consumption. This could include an
architect, helping in designing energy efficient buildings, a rural woman practicing sustainable farming, or a plumber, installing
water-recycling systems.

Every job has the potential, to be a green job, if it redefines, business as usual in favor of more sustainable practices,’ said
Rawat.

'Greener' jobs' are Gaining Momentum globally

Sudden climatic disturbances and a disturbed ecological balance have greatly contributed towards the
hatching of this concept of green jobs. ILO seems to have been effectively contributing its share in helping
the ‘green job initiative’ to prosper. When questioned about its role in the said sector in India, this is what
Mr. Peter Poschen, director, Job Creation and Enterprise Development Department, ILO, Geneva had to
share:
Sustainable energy and greener jobs are concepts that may sound quite foreign to certain BPL
laborers in India. The problems faced by them are not ecological disturbances but sheer
poverty, informal employment, extended work hours and that too with quite an unsuitable
income. What is your take on this?
The very concept of the green jobs is not creating more jobs but creating ‘BETTER’ jobs. It aims at addressing
the social and environmental issues related to unemployment in India. For example, agriculture in India is largely
dependent on Monsoons, causing the agricultural jobs to become quite adversely affected by a bad monsoon.
Hence, what is needed here is to reduce those environmental constraints, which can be effectively done by
implementing better water management techniques. Indian farmers, for example can use various water
retention supplements for storing irrigation water.
Concepts like water retention and rainwater harvesting have been there since ages but what
lacks is implementation. Can a shortage of funds be the probable reason for this?
As far as funds for rural employment are concerned, I do not see any shortage. Government of India has
launched several aid schemes that offer abundant money to the rural people. NREGA is a good example of
such schemes. It has a huge amount of money under the water management head that if used properly can
resolve irrigation issues.
But the gaps still exist in this area despite huge money. What would you attribute these gaps
with?
Yes, the gaps do exist but those are mainly in the skills area. The rural Indians still lack the skills required for

converted by Web2PDFConvert.com
 their proximal livelihoods. Most of them either do not know about the available techniques or even if they do, an
unskilled usage limits the benefits in turn.
What according to you can be the major reason for this?
In India, there exists a wide gap between training and Education. Most of the people here even lack basic
education leave apart a specialised skills training. Moreover, quality and volume both are a huge problem here.
As compared to India, what is the skill-training scenario in other countries?
As growth of jobs in skills is quite a recent phenomenon; hence it is only in the past 10-15 years only that the
skills have become a focus area for every country, resulting in an increased number of options for vocational
courses. And in most of the countries, these vocations are quite need-based. Australia for example, has an
acute water problem. Therefore, recently they have started a plumber training program namely ‘green
plumbers’ who would be certified to offer eco-savvy water solutions and fittings.
What describes ILO’s role for causing an upliftment of skills in India?
ILO plays an advisory role to all its members. We can map opportunities for governments but implementing the
suggested changes is what should be taken care of by the bureaucrats and the policy makers. Thus, ILO
quotes good developmental practices being followed by other fellow countries to India as well.

We have pointed out the flaws in the present system of vocational education already. Now, policymakers can
weave the suggested measures with skill enhancement. Indian vocations have ample scope for change. You
can revise curriculums, hire more experienced faculties, offer better training opportunities, and so on. Briefly,
ILO has hinted out problem areas, now taking corrective measures is left to the concerned people.
Many experts endorse the view that the vocational training system in India is the weakest
despite many good universities present here for skills’ training. What can reason this out?
Skills cannot be developed in vacuum. A good sense of awareness is what is required for the up-gradation of
skills. And such a largely populated country like India requires more and more industry ready professionals
who can start being productive right from day one.
As far as formal employment is concerned, India is rapidly paving the growth path but to strengthen vocational
training, grass root level efforts are the need of the hour. This seminar on green jobs is an exemplary step,
which would offer a sector-based projection of employment opportunities in the arena of vocational training.
And after the mapping is done, prospects can be explored at leisure.

Peter’s Biography
Director of the Job Creation and Enterprise Development Department of the International Labour Office (ILO) in Geneva, Mr.
Poschen continues to be responsible for the coordination of ILO’s Global Green Jobs Program. Born in 1955, Mr. Poschen holds
a PhD in sciences from the University of Freiburg in Germany (1987), an MSc in forestry (1980) and a Diploma in ‘Modeling and
accounting for sustainability’ from the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague (2006).

After joining the ILO in 1986, Mr Poschen has served in various capacities: providing technical support to the infrastructure
field programs in Africa (1988-90), forestry and wood industries specialist in the Sectoral Acticivities Deparment (1991-94),
coordinator of the Environment and Wolrd of Work Country Program, based in Santiago, Chile (1994/95), team leader in the
Sectoral Activities Department (1996-2002), coordinator of the Decent Work Pilot Programmes in the Policy Integration
Department (2002-2005) and Senior Advisor on Sustainable Development (2006-2009). Before joining the ILO, Mr. Poschen
served as a volunteer in Ethiopia (1981-84) and worked as a researcher at the University of Freiburg.

To read in print format subscribe to the magazine Download Subscription Form

© all rights reserved. Career Launcher India Limited | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms to use
For best view set your desktop resolution 1024X768

converted by Web2PDFConvert.com