Green Skills 2030 in Action: SOLAS Launches Implementation Plan to Drive Ireland's Climate-Ready Workforce

SOLAS/26.09.2025

On Tuesday 24th September, SOLAS welcomed stakeholders from across the Further Education and Training (FET) sector, government departments, and industry partners to Green Skills 2030 in Action, held in the beautiful surroundings of Ballintubbert Gardens and House in county Laois.

The event marked the next phase in delivering Ireland’s first National FET Strategy for the Green Transition, with the launch of the Green Skills 2030 Implementation Plan and a new reporting tool, developed in partnership with KPMG.

Since the publication of Green Skills 2030, SOLAS has worked with the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and a wide range of partners to translate the strategy’s recommendations into 24 strategic and 71 sectoral actions. These span seven key economic sectors, including agriculture, construction, energy, and tourism, and were developed through extensive consultation with stakeholders such as Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM), Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the National Tertiary Office, the National Apprenticeship Office, Green Tech Skillnet, Teagasc, Trinity College Dublin, and the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.

Speaking at the event, Nessa White, Interim CEO of SOLAS, highlighted the urgency and opportunity of the green transition: “Recent research from the SOLAS Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) shows that 75% of jobs in Ireland now require some level of green skills. Through Further Education and Training, we’re empowering learners to play a vital role in achieving Ireland’s climate ambitions.”

The implementation plan sets out a clear roadmap for action. It aims to raise awareness of green skills programmes, integrate green and transversal skills across all FET offerings, support businesses through upskilling, and expand programme design and delivery. It also strengthens pathways between further and higher education, ensuring learners can adapt and thrive in the evolving green economy.

Dr Susan Gill, Manager of the Climate Strategy & Skills Unit at SOLAS, spoke to the importance of moving from vision to delivery: “We need a radical rethink of how we live, work, and educate, a profound transformation of the skills and knowledge we equip people to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of a green, sustainable future. And while a strategy is one thing, it’s the ‘why’, the destination, we knew we needed a concrete implementation plan: the ‘how’, the journey. We are delighted to present the Green Skills 2030 Implementation Plan.”

The accompanying reporting tool, developed with KPMG, will support ongoing monitoring of progress and help ensure transparency across the sector.

Minister Marian Harkin also addressed attendees with a video message, underscoring the essential role of FET in Ireland’s climate response: “Further Education and Training through our local Education and Training Boards plays a key role in enabling Ireland’s response to climate change. Ensuring that Ireland is climate ready is essential for meeting our environmental goals and building a resilient economy.”

The event provided a space for collaboration, connection, and commitment, reinforcing SOLAS’s dedication to working in partnership to ensure the successful delivery of Green Skills 2030 and a just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.

You can read the full Green Skills 2030 Strategy here and explore the Green Skills 2030 Implementation Plan here.