Operational aspects of environmental protection, energy efficiency, or resource consumption are transforming the German economy. Whether it's industrial mechanics involved in constructing wind energy systems or business professionals in procurement roles: Sustainability has become a key focus across all 324 training professions. In almost all professions, the question now arises of how to operate more sustainably. Specific "green professions" cannot be directly identified.

Since summer 2021, all newly regulated dual training professions in vocational training in Germany adhere to extended minimum standards in the areas of environmental protection and sustainability. Through the so-called "standard occupational profile positions," trainees acquire crucial qualifications for the challenges of today's work environment. When imparting professional competencies, it is particularly important to empower trainees to act environmentally and sustainably in their daily work.

Examination-Related Topic: Sustainability

The current standard occupational profile positions mandate integrating the topic of sustainability into dual training. They are examination-relevant and are taught both in the company and at vocational school. Even the previously valid training regulations already incorporated the sustainability goals through topics like environmental and health protection or labor and social law provisions.

In some training professions – such as office management specialists since 2014 or wholesale management specialists since 2020 – sustainability goals have been explicitly addressed in the professional syllabus for several years. Currently, the training within the four environmental technical professions, such as "Specialist for Circular and Waste Management," is being revised. These professions aim to gain even more attractiveness.

Green Advanced Training for the Future

Advanced vocational training also includes targeted qualifications for upcoming opportunities and challenges. For example, certified industrial master chemists oversee the production processes for technical gases, including hydrogen. Further examples include IHK additional qualification exams in the field of automotive high-voltage technology, which have been developed years ago.

To successfully shape the economic transformation towards sustainability, qualification offerings in vocational advanced training are necessary. Initiatives from the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHKs) specifically highlight the need for qualifications in hydrogen, electromobility, and CO₂ accounting and reduction.

New IHK Certificate Courses in Energy and Mobility

The DIHK-Bildungs-gGmbH, together with experts, is currently developing new nationwide IHK certificate courses on these topics: "Hydrogen Applications Specialist (IHK)", "Electromobility Specialist (IHK)", and "Corporate Climate Manager (IHK)".

With the IHK management training program Leading Successfully Sustainably, subsidized by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the nationwide IHK certificate course "CSR Manager (IHK)", there are already established certificate programs offered regionally by the IHKs.

Additionally, training offerings for educators, such as "Educator for Sustainable Development (IHK)," are available. Educators and trainers in business-related professions can gain comprehensive holistic sustainability competencies in a six-day advanced training program completed within four months. The goal is to develop and implement a sustainability project with trainees. The seminars include practice-oriented tasks referencing the new standard occupational profile positions. Upon successful completion, the IHK certificate "Educator for Sustainable Development (IHK)" is granted.