Former EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard is a member of the EuroSkills 2025 board. She and the rest of the board have ambitious plans for EuroSkills 2025 in Herning to be the most sustainable EuroSkills event ever – in more ways than one.
“We naturally aim to conduct EuroSkills 2025 in Herning as sustainably as possible. This includes material choices, recycling, waste sorting, circular economy – wherever it’s feasible,” says Connie Hedegaard, adding: “Additionally, we want to show participants and visitors that sustainability is an agenda we take seriously and act upon in Denmark. We also aim to demonstrate that young skilled professionals should be trained in sustainable solutions and equipped to drive the green transition.”
A Gigantic Display
Connie Hedegaard believes EuroSkills Herning 2025 comes at just the right time, especially now that the Danish Government has declared 2025 as ‘The Year of Vocational Education’: “It’s no secret that we lack skilled professionals; therefore, we also have ambitions to challenge the perception that choosing high school is the only path for young people. We want to inspire, inform, and highlight the many fantastic career opportunities available through vocational education. EuroSkills Herning 2025 will be a gigantic and impressive showcase for these initiatives.”
Connie Hedegaard enthusiastically looks forward to EuroSkills: “I’m very excited about the event and would like to encourage everyone who can visit Herning in September 2025. It’s deeply fascinating to witness the expertise on display at a skills championship – to see the blend of beautifully executed craftsmanship and the use of machines, digital solutions, and 3D printing – it’s so inspiring. I’m always impressed to see young people giving their very best. I can’t help but think that this massive event, which attracts an incredible number of visitors, must help spark greater interest in the many exciting educational pathways that inevitably contribute to driving forward the crucial green transition.”
The Green Transition as a Motivational Factor
The green transition is increasingly influencing young people’s choice of education. A study by EVA – Denmark’s Evaluation Institute – shows that for 15% of first-year students, the desire to work with the green transition was the decisive factor in their choice of education. Additionally, 24% of the respondents expressed a desire to work with the green transition after completing their education. In other words, the green transition and the opportunity to contribute to it are direct motivational factors for young people choosing their education.
According to EVA’s data, vocational education programs should be seeing increased enrolment. However, that’s not the case. Part of the explanation could be that we’re failing to discuss how we practically achieve the goals leading to a greener world – and failing to present the importance of vocational education when talking about the green transition. Connie Hedegaard elaborates: “Many researchers talk about the green transition, but it’s important to remember that it’s the skilled professionals who make it happen.”