'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 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.