GreenComp in Vocational Education and Training: State of Art and Best Practices in Ireland

Sustainability is the one of the most poignant topics today. With the climate crisis well and truly upon us, many have begun to depend on methods of living which lower the impact which we have on our planet. Sustainable practices are the key to improving the health of the climate and our lives. Therefore, sustainability is being integrated into every aspect of society, and none so prominent than in education.

In 2015, the UN (United Nations) established the SDG’S (Sustainable Development Goals) which are 17 individual areas of sustainability which must be a target for member countries to reach to become more sustainable. With goals such as ‘Life on Land,’ ‘No Poverty’ and ‘Quality Education’ specific areas of society can be directed to improvement using the targets established under each goal. These goals must be integrated into every aspect of life with particular emphasis on education.

Sustainability in education is a new idea, which has required a huge amount of change in syllabi and curriculums throughout Ireland. Throughout all levels of education, sustainability can be seen in many forms. However, to ensure sustainability in education, efforts must be made by policy makers, educators, students, and other stakeholders in education.

This report will evaluate how Ireland’s educators and trainers integrate the sustainable competences of the GreenComp Framework into education throughout schools and educational organisations in Ireland. Using interviews with those involved in vocational education and a review of the policies implemented by the government, a complete picture of the state of sustainability in Vocational education can be seen.