Green skills as a foundation for employability among young graduates
Green skills are becoming central to align education with sustainability needs. For graduates, they offer more than employability; they are a way to contribute to meaningful change.
For employers, are they truly a widespread demand, or does this vary across industries and regions? While there are growing expectations from students, disparities among employers remain. As such, universities have to play an important role in bridging these expectations to provide students with opportunities to thrive.
Global Disparities in Expectations
The recent GEURS 2025 study questioned over 13,000 participants and showed that 74.2% of employers think that universities should train graduates in the field of sustainability.
Yet, this expectation varies by region. In countries like Sweden and Germany, quite in advance on this topic, sustainability is often integrated into education and workplace practices.
Only 25% of Swedish employers expect universities to lead, with 41,7% suggesting Green Skills belong at the doctoral level. It appears that basic knowledge is assumed to come from prior education or industry norms.
Emerging economies such as India, Brazil, and Mexico rely more heavily on universities. Here, up to 78% of employers see academic institutions as key to closing sustainability skill gaps and driving progress.
This divide raises a question: how can universities effectively ensure that their graduates develop green skills that directly enhance their employability ?
Sector-Specific Needs
Demand for Green Skills varies also by industry. In IT teams, 70,4% of employers expect graduates to have sustainability expertise. Engineering roles follow at 53,2% which shows the need for green technical problem-solving.
Business and non-technical roles trail behind. Fewer than 51% of employers are satisfied with sustainability knowledge in these fields, where leadership and practical application are crucial.
Where Universities Fall Short
While sustainability is increasingly featured in curricula, practical application remains limited. Employers point to gaps in real-world experience, such as internships and project-based learning. This is particularly evident in regions like India and Brazil, where universities often lack resources to support green innovation. Dr Isabel Cook, an researcher in sustainability and education, collaborating with the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges, highlighted that “All degree courses should involve at least 2 weeks (or 1 day per week for 1 semester) of work experience or a placement of some kind to enable students to develop real-world understanding of the professional or business workplace. This does not have to be in the sector related to their degree discipline, as the focus is on developing students’ experience of practical realities alongside academic theory.”
According to employers, bridging these gaps requires stronger collaboration between universities and industries. Employers prioritize technical skills like energy efficiency and environmental analysis by 43,3% according to the GEURS 2025 survey, alongside adaptability to green technologies by 27,6%. Expanding experiential learning, such as industry-linked projects and global partnerships, can also help align academic programs with workforce needs. Emerging economies may benefit from collaborating with countries like Sweden or Germany to adopt proven strategies.
Employability in a Sustainable Future
The GEURS 2025 findings show that no universal solution fits everyone across the globe or across sectors. While some regions may benefit from embedding sustainability in undergraduate programs, others should focus on advanced research.
By aligning with local needs and fostering industry collaboration, universities can better prepare graduates for the environmental challenges ahead. In doing so, they contribute to building a more sustainable and resilient future.
