ILO to discuss green projects at Nairobi event

This is the aim of the ILO Solution Forum that’s taking place this week in Nairobi. The forum – part of the Global South-South Development Expo – will showcase green projects in a variety of contexts.

“Having countries learn from each other is especially important since green jobs can be found in a variety of areas, from traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction to emerging sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency,” said Jürgen Schwettmann, Director of the ILO Partnerships and Field Support department.

“Greening the economy can be a complex process. The successful experience of one country can be relevant for other countries. South-South and triangular cooperation can therefore scale up the impact of measures to promote the greening of economies,” he added.

The Forum will showcase regional experiences such as the Central American Network of Technical Vocational Training Institutions (TVET), which covers Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic.

Since 2010, network members have established a set of learning standards based on best practices for eight green occupations, including organic agriculture, installation and reparation of photovoltaic systems, water management, sustainable forestry, environmental risk management, as well as installation and maintenance of hybrid power systems and waste management.

These learning standards were successfully incorporated into national training programmes and helped to reduce the skills gap for green jobs in certain sectors.

Another innovative project is the vocational training and skills development initiative developed between the Peruvian vocational training institute SENATI, the Brazilian public and private skills training organisation SENAI and the German cooperation agency GIZ, each organization contributing with their experience and best practices.

“Using the Brazilian experience in water management and the German know-how in energy efficiency the countries involved developed a complex project providing young Peruvians with much needed skills,” explains Eliana Nicolini, SENAI’s Coordinator for South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

International Labour Organization