A Green Leap Forward: Gearing Up Taiwan's Green-Collar workforce
Implementation of carbon pricing announced: Lai
By Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNA
In a determined stride towards sustainable development, President William Lai (賴清德) declared Taiwan's intentions at the fourth National Climate Change Committee meeting. The government is geared up to tackle the challenges posed by US tariffs and the global drive to reduce carbon emissions.
While US policies have sparked corporate uncertainties, Lai acknowledged the justifiable apprehension and pledged to adjust governmental policies accordingly. However, the nation remains resolute in embracing renewable energy and sustainable practices to bolster its resilience.
In light of this commitment, the Ministry of Environment is leading the charge with an innovative program – fostering 'green-collar' talent. This initiative aims to cultivate a skilled workforce dedicated to advancing Taiwan's renewable energy and sustainability ambitions.
The government-backed initiative, developed in collaboration with 28 universities nationwide, delivers a standardized 48-hour training program focused on green industry skills, with a 50% discount for younger and low-income participants and free enrollment for the latter group. Training centers have been established across the country, ensuring broad accessibility and regional development of green-collar expertise.
Emphasizing practical skills such as carbon management, the program provides opportunities for internships, certifications, and pathways to employment in green roles, like carbon consultants and ESG specialists. Students also benefit from up-to-date knowledge on international carbon management standards, enabling them to meet global sustainability criteria like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
The demand for green-collar talent in Taiwan is burgeoning rapidly, with employment opportunities tripling since 2017 to over 22,000 monthly job openings – standing second only to artificial intelligence sectors. This surge mirrors Taiwan’s expanding commitment to environmental sustainability across various industries, supporting the nation’s national policies that require companies to compile sustainability reports and verify carbon footprints.
In line with Taiwan’s national policies, this green-collar talent program is part of the National Talent Competitiveness Jumpstart Program (2024-2027), aimed at grooming 450,000 talents in fields like AI, green-collar, and digital cross-disciplinary by 2028. The green-collar track specifically supports industrial transformation and Taiwan’s transition towards a green economy.
Furthermore, collaborations between Taiwan’s universities and international organizations help align Taiwan’s green-collar workforce with global carbon management standards, reinforcing the country’s competitiveness in the global green economy. By fostering practical green skills, Taiwan is poised to make a tangible contribution to the global fight against climate change while reaping the benefits of a thriving green economy.
Taiwan’s schools are harnessing the power of technology, with climate and net-zero related online courses, to prepare the younger generation to lead the nation into a greener, more sustainable future. The green-collar talent program, by integrating practical skills, international standards compliance, and a supportive educational framework, is a comprehensive solution to meet growing industry demands and environmental policy goals, thereby strengthening Taiwan’s commitment to sustainability and greener growth.
- The governmental policy of adopting tariffs and integrating climate-change strategies in Taiwan's green-collar workforce program is a response to US tariffs and the global climate effort.
- To boost the nation's resilience amidst US policy uncertainties, President Lai has pledged to ramp up environmental science and educational initiatives in the green-collar sector.
- In line with the global news landscape emphasizing climate-change mitigation and learning from science, Taiwan's government is leading the way in policy-and-legislation and education-and-self-development for a greener economy.
- As the demand for green-collar talent in industries like environmental-science and renewable energy grows exponentially, Taiwan's government-backed training program offers opportunities for certifications, internships, and employment in green roles.
- By adopting practical green skills, international carbon management standards, and a supportive educational framework, the government aims to ensure compliance with criteria like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and cater to the needs of the growing green-collar job market.
- With schools focusing on climate and net-zero online courses, Taiwan is preparing the younger generation to lead the country towards a greener future, fostering practical green skills and reinforcing the nation's commitment to sustainability and greener growth through the green-collar talent program.
