Govt, Youths And Green Skills: Which Way Forward?

Fortnight ago, countries all over the world observed the International Youth Day (IYD). A day set aside by the United Nations to draw worldwide focus towards various issues affecting youths.

It offers a platform to honour qualities of youth and the potentials that they hold towards development of their societies. The celebration of the day also affords an opportunity for every country to assess their investment in youth as well as appreciate the roles youths play in different sectors of government.

Remarkably, this year’s celebration had as its theme, “Green Skills For Youth: Towards a Sustainable World”.

Here, in Rivers State, the IYD was observed with a sub-theme: “Artificial Intelligence as a Subsisting Spectrum and how Rivers Youth Can Buy In”, at an event that took place at the Obi Wali International Conference Center, Port Harcourt.

The occasion was graced by the Rivers State, Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, though represented by the state Commissioner For Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom.

 It is imperative to seek an understanding of what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is. It is the ability of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that are usually done by humans because they require human intelligence and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind.

The youth of today are growing up surrounded by artificial intelligence. Their values, ways of thinking, and moral codes are all shaped not only by their parents or immediate caregivers but also by the technology that is ever-present in their daily lives.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere. AI is not just about robots or self navigating vehicles, it is on the internet, on social media and on smart devices. One of the most common misconceptions about AI is the danger that it can pose. But in the modern world, AI can become an essential piece of technology that can help society progress, as long as it is made for this purpose.

On the other hand, green skills are knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable resource – efficient society.

The need to transition towards more environmentally sustainable modes of production and consumption has become imperative for developed as well as for developing countries.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 12 include the target of upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to make them sustainable and also achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by 2030.

The greening of the economy will no doubt change the skills required and the tasks involved in many of the existing occupations.

As the world tackles the escalating challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation, the involvement of young minds in sustainable initiatives has become more significant than ever.

One of the most effective tools in their depository is Artificial Intelligence which has become known as crucial green skill that empowers youth to address environmental issues and contribute to a sustainable future.

With the ability to analyse vast amounts of data, identify patterns and make predictions, AI is revolutionising industries and empowering individuals to develop cutting -edge solutions to environmental challenges.

According to reports, AI can apply powerful predictive capabilities and intelligent grid systems to manage the supply and demand of renewable energy. This can be in form of predicting more accurate weather forecasts, optimize efficiency, cut costs, and unnecessary carbon pollution generation.

This however, comes down to green artificial intelligence which is an artificial intelligence that

uses lower comiputational costs to help reduce carbon emissions. It combines the immense value of artificial intelligence with the green values that is needed to lower carbon emissions and protect the planet from further climate change.

Green AI can also help optimize traffic flow, reduce energy consumption and improve waste management in cities using AI enabled camera’s and sensors. This can help reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable urban development.

The Green General Skill Index identifies four groups of work tasks important for green occupations. They include, engineering and technical skills, design, construction and assesment of technology. This is needed for eco buildings, renewable energy design and energy saving research and development projects.

Science skills, in high demand in the utility sector that provides basic amenities such as water, sewage services and electricity.

Operation management skills are also required to support green activities in forms through life-cycle management and cooperation with external actors including customers. Such skills are important and include sales engineers, climate change analysts, sustainability specialists, chief sustainability officers and transportation planners.

Lastly, monitoring skills include technical and legal aspects of business activities that are fundamentally different from the result of engineering or science. They prefer the skills required to assess the observance of technical criteria and legal standards. Some of the skills include environmental compliance inspectors, nuclear monitoring inspectors, nuclear monitoring technicians, emergency management directors, and legal assistants.

In addition to these skills, a range of soft skills are also considered to be important, not only for green skills, but generally for “skills of the future”. These include design hinking, creating adaptability, artificial intelligence, resilience and even empathy.

According to statistics, demand for green skills is more than supply. The World Economic Forum( WEF) explains that the environmental and renewables sector has seen 237% explosion of jobs over the past five years. Worldwide, green talent is on the rise from 9.6% in 2015 to 13.3% in 2021, a growth rate of 38.5% according to Linkedin.

WEF further explains that, more than half of the jobs by 2030 will require an understanding of digital technology. Young people must be able to effectively use digital tools and platforms to solve problems and create value.

At the celebration of the 2023 IYD organised by the Rivers State Government and attended by youths from the 23 local government areas of the state, the Rivers State Government restated its resolve to do everything possible to ensure youth development in the state.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Education, Prof.Chinedu Mmom, said youths formed the cornerstone of the administration’s development agenda and promised to make youth mentorship a policy focus of his administration.

Governor Fubara reasoned that as leaders of tomorrow, youths need to be armed with skills and knowledge that would help them to fill in leadership positions in the future.

At the federal level, President Bola Tinubu had reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to create meaningful opportunities for Nigerian youth, through youth empowerment which is a fundamental pillar of all reform actions being implemented across sectors of the economy.

Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen at the IYD charged Nigerian youths on the imperatives of skills acquisition to explore and use their talents for national development. He stated this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi to mark this year’s IYD.

He noted that Nigerian youths have abundant talents and resilience which they have exhibited over the years, as well as passion for the country.

The Coca-Cola Foundation which also celebrated this year’s IYD restated its steadfast commitment to empowering Nigerian youths and cultivating a sustainable future together.

Empowering youths to take the lead for a sustainable future, the Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (S.M.I.L.E) organised a youth summit to foster youth leadership and driving positive change for the future.

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, who spoke during the programme organised by SMILE highlighted the importance of youth acquiring green skills to enable them access green jobs and foster a sustainable world.

The skills needed transition is directly clear. This cannot be done alone. Governmental collaboration with the business community can help build an engine for change and help the whole world move into greener future that works for everyone.

For Nigerian youths to acquire the capacity to compete for the ever increasing green skills jobs at the global, continental and regional levels, governments at all levels must deliberately empower the youths with knowledge. This talk should not end as a one- day event. By the time of the celebration of International Youth Day next year, we should be able to take stock and know what progress has been made in this direction.

By: Ibinabo Ogolo