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The first stage of research on vocational education and training (VET) in chemistry, green chemistry and related fields has been completed within the international project GREENCHEM – Network of Centres of Vocational Excellence in Green and Digital Chemistry. The findings will help identify key priorities for modernising educational programmes in line with evolving labour market needs, sustainable development principles and digital transformation.
Project partners conducted national desk research and prepared a joint comparative analysis of 125 educational programmes and vocational qualifications across nine countries: Austria, Cyprus, Finland, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Türkiye and Ukraine.
The research primarily focused on programmes corresponding to Levels 4–5 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The analysis examined programme content, learning outcomes, professional competences, practical training components and the integration of green chemistry and sustainable development principles.
The study covered a wide range of professional fields, including chemical manufacturing, laboratory and analytical activities, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental protection, materials and polymers, food production, agriculture and bio-based manufacturing.
The comparative analysis revealed that existing VET programmes already provide a strong foundation of professional competences relevant to green chemistry. In particular, these programmes develop knowledge and practical skills in chemical and technological processes, laboratory analysis, resource and waste management, the application of digital technologies, chemical safety and regulatory compliance.
At the same time, the research highlighted the need for more systematic integration of green chemistry principles into vocational education and training curricula. Key areas for improvement include environmentally sustainable methods of chemical synthesis, resource-efficient technologies, circular economy principles, green analytical chemistry and the use of digital tools to support sustainable development goals.
One of the key findings was that modernising educational programmes does not necessarily require developing entirely new training systems. Existing professional knowledge and practical skills can serve as a foundation for developing additional competences focused on environmental responsibility, resource efficiency and innovative technologies.
The research also paid particular attention to labour market needs. Insights gathered from industry stakeholders helped identify how the green and digital transitions are reshaping the competences required of professionals, while also providing examples of cooperation between VET institutions and employers.
The findings will provide a foundation for the next stages of GREENCHEM, particularly the development of professional profiles, the identification of relevant learning outcomes and the improvement of educational curricula in green and digital chemistry.
The key objective is to build on existing vocational training by integrating new competences essential for the green and digital transitions. This approach will contribute to improving the quality of vocational education and training, strengthening its alignment with the needs of the modern economy and fostering closer cooperation between educational institutions, research organisations and industry.
The completion of GREENCHEM’s first analytical stage marks an important step towards developing a shared European vision for vocational education and training that can respond effectively to the challenges of sustainable development, technological change and evolving labour market demands.
