The European Network of Public Employment Services (PES) has unveiled a new toolkit designed to help national employment institutions respond to the changing demands of the green transition. Titled “PES Toolkit on Green Skills and Jobs: From Engagement to Action and Strategy”, the document provides practical guidance, strategic suggestions, and case studies from across the EU. While its ambitions align with broader EU climate and social goals, one question remains: are national employment structures really prepared to make the most of this opportunity?
Green skills and the future of work: are public institutions ready for the green transition?
Green economy: a chance or a must?
Europe’s new economic direction, built on low emissions, energy efficiency, and sustainable development, is no longer just a vision — it’s a political and economic reality. But with every transformation comes the need for new skills, and that means transforming the job market too.
The PES toolkit positions public employment services as key actors in this shift. Their tasks include forecasting the demand for future skills, supporting retraining and upskilling efforts, and facilitating collaboration between employers, workers, and education providers.
The document makes it clear: the green transition won’t happen without active involvement from employment services. But can these institutions really operate at the intersection of climate, economic, and education policies — all of which demand new ways of thinking and working?
Spotting green skills: who’s responsible and how?
One of the toolkit’s core sections focuses on identifying green skills — that is, the abilities needed in sectors like renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable transport, or energy-efficient construction. PES are expected not only to analyze data but also to anticipate skill gaps and work with local partners to close them.
The challenge? Many employment agencies still rely on outdated databases, and forecasting skills in a time of rapid technological and legislative change is becoming increasingly complex. How can you predict the future of green jobs when their shape depends on shifting national policies, EU funding strategies, and the volatility of global commodity markets?
Employment services in action: promises vs. practice
Another section of the toolkit is devoted to designing services that help jobseekers reskill, access training, and receive career guidance. According to the recommendations, PES should implement Active Labour Market Policies (ALMPs) tailored to green priorities and adapted to specific target groups.
In theory, this is a promising approach — especially for young people entering the job market, long-term unemployed individuals, or workers in declining industries like coal mining or traditional energy. But in practice, many PES systems face significant obstacles: underqualified advisors, limited budgets, and weak connections to local education systems.
The toolkit also encourages cooperation between PES and the wider training ecosystem. But without clear mechanisms for quality control and accountability, there’s a risk of repeating past mistakes — namely, offering low-impact courses that fail to lead to real jobs.
Partnering with employers: can it be a two-way street?
One of the toolkit’s strongest points is its emphasis on working with employers. PES are encouraged to engage with businesses not only to understand their needs but also to co-create training programmes, form sectoral partnerships, and expand opportunities for on-the-job learning.
This makes sense — bridging the gap between theory and practice is essential for a functioning job market. However, this approach may also spark tension. Employers in fast-moving, innovative sectors may be reluctant to engage with public institutions if they see the process as too slow or bureaucratic. Others might see PES only as recruitment tools rather than long-term partners.
So the question is: will PES be able to build meaningful, ongoing partnerships with the private sector — or will their role be reduced to one-off consultations? And aside from subsidies and tax breaks, are there real incentives for companies to invest in green skills?
Strategic vision: ambitious but fragmented
The document goes beyond practical tools — it also explores long-term strategy. It calls for PES to develop their own green transition strategies and attempts to define what “green jobs” really are, pointing out the lack of universal definitions and the importance of local context.
This raises a key issue: do PES have the capacity to design their own strategies, or are they simply carrying out the directives of ministries and central agencies? The toolkit seems to assume a high level of local autonomy, but in many EU countries, decentralisation remains limited. And yet the green transition will only succeed if actions are tailored to the unique characteristics of regional job markets and labour forces.
Final thoughts: a toolkit is only as good as the system behind it
The new PES toolkit sends a clear message: public employment services can and should play a major role in Europe’s green transformation. But for this vision to become reality, PES must undergo significant internal changes — structurally, financially, and strategically.
Young people entering the workforce today will be key players in this transition. They need institutions that are not only responsive and forward-thinking but also capable of helping them build careers in a green, sustainable future. The toolkit is a promising start — but much will depend on how effectively it’s put into practice.
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