The Green Economy Explained: Trends, Skills & Jobs You Need to Know About

This article was written with reference to the inaugural Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report that was published in 2021. A latest report has been published in 2022. Click here to read the latest Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report 2022.

The Green Economy: An Overview

The race is heating up. As concerns about climate change and the transition to a Green Economy gather speed and urgency, economies around the world are prioritising green initiatives and sustainability goals. 

A Green Economy, according to the United Nations, is “low-carbon, resource-efficient and socially inclusive”. In other words, the Green Economy is about living, working and pursuing growth, while taking care of the environment and using the limited resources available as efficiently and sustainably as possible.

In Singapore, we too are building sustainability as a way of work, play and life through the Singapore Green Plan 2030 unveiled in February 2021. The Plan will help more local enterprises restructure to adopt greener technologies and practices, and shift towards greener business activities. Singapore will make a concerted effort to seek green growth opportunities to create new jobs, transform Singapore's industries and harness sustainability as a competitive advantage.

Seizing Green Opportunities

According to SkillsFuture Singapore’s inaugural Skills Demand for the Future Economy report, the Green Economy has been identified as one of three growth areas for Singapore, together with the digital economy and the care economy.

Drawing on labour market data, the report covers the top 20 clusters of priority skills for each of the three growth areas. These are skills that are required by the most number of job roles across sectors under each economy.

We encourage individuals to tap on the report for their own needs and situation – their work experience, strengths and aspirations – and use it to plan for their skills development and training.

Priority Skills Clusters in Green Economy

Many clusters of priority skills are required across multiple sectors supporting the Green Economy. Priority skills clusters include Green Process Design, Carbon Footprint Management, and Sustainability Management.

Today, these priority skills are required in more than 450 job roles across 17 sectors. These sectors range from manufacturing, trade and connectivity, to information and communication technology, financial services, hospitality and built environment. 

These priority skills, given that they are required in a large number of job roles across sectors, are more transferable. Having these skills opens up multiple job opportunities, such as Environment, Health & Safety Manager or Sustainability Manager across sectors.

On the other hand, there are priority skills more relevant to specific sectors. Clusters of these skills include Green Buildings and Facilities Management, Sustainable Food Production Design, Sustainable Engineering and Solar Photovoltaic Systems Design.

The skills in these clusters are mainly required in specific sectors, such as built environment, energy and power, engineering services and agri-tech. These sector-specific skills are critical for one to do well in a job within a sector.

To pick up skills relevant for the Green Economy, explore selected SkillsFuture Credit-eligible courses here.

Priority Skills in Green Economy: Built Environment

In Singapore’s push to go green, the Built Environment sector has an important role to play. In a highly urbanised island state like Singapore, buildings account for over 20% of our emissions. Green buildings form an important part of our climate change mitigation strategy, so it is key that they are designed, constructed and operated as eco-friendly and sustainably as possible.

With the transformation of the Built Environment sector comes a demand for priority skills such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) Application, Environmental Management System Framework Development and Implementation, Green Building Strategy Implementation, Sustainable Engineering, and Green Facilities Management. 

Possessing these skills can open up opportunities to in-demand job roles such as Facilities Engineer/Manager, Assistant Civil and Structural Engineer/Mechanical Engineer or Sustainability Manager.

Some Recommended SkillsFuture Credit-eligible Courses

Carbon Management - Development of Carbon Footprint Reduction Roadmap
Training Provider: Singapore University of Social Sciences
Course Fee: $2,200
Duration: 58 hours
Find out more here.

Solar Energy Systems for Built Environment Professionals
Training Provider: National University of Singapore
Course Fee: $1,900
Duration: 11.5 hours
Find out more here.

Green Architecture and the Integrated Design Process
Training Provider: BCA Academy
Course Fee: $467.29
Duration: 7 hours
Find out more here.

You can also explore other courses for the green economy here.

Priority Skills in Green Economy: Energy & Power

With the acceleration of megatrends in decarbonisation and electrification, the energy and power sector is at the forefront of changes in the green economy.

As trends and developments such as solar, energy storage imports and smart grids become increasingly prevalent, new and higher value-adding green jobs will emerge, driving the growth of energy-related jobs. 

Priority skills required to take on new job roles such as solar technologists/specialists, clean energy specialists and sustainability engineers include Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, Environmental Management System Framework Development and Implementation, Sustainable Engineering, Solar Photovoltaic Systems Design, and Energy Management and Audit. Individuals with these skills will be sought after with a wide range of opportunities and job growth to look forward to.

Some Recommended SkillsFuture Credit-eligible Courses

Sustainable Energy Systems
Training Provider: Institute of Technical Education
Course Fee: $1,208.41
Duration: 120 hours
Find out more here.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Know-How
Training Provider: Singapore Polytechnic
Course Fee: $350
Duration: 8 hours
Find out more here.

Introduction to Energy Efficiency & Energy Audit
Training Provider: Singapore Institute of Technology
Course Fee: $1,400
Duration: 16 hours
Find out more here.

You can also explore other courses for the Green Economy here.

Charting Your Skills Development

The Green Economy, with the Care and Digital Economies, illustrates new opportunities and the changing landscape of jobs and skills as Singapore continues its economic transformation.

To help you get started on developing and deepening your skills, here are some SkillsFuture resources you can tap on.