Sustainable behaviour in VET

3.1 What are green VET organisations?

In order to recognise, defend, and encourage the environmental-friendly behaviour of the entire VET community, a green VET organisation must develop green-focused internal processes and procedures. A VET organisation that implements a green strategy, pedagogical approach, and skill and knowledge-based operations is a place where:

• All members of the community, including teachers/trainers, learners, and staff, actively recognise and respect sustainable practices, and are committed to work together to adopt positive changes at an institutional level.
• Learners can explore new skills and career options and adapt to a labour market that is shifting to a green economy model by participating in hands-on VET opportunities to better understand environmental practices and gain new abilities.
• VET teachers/trainers and staff are urged to advance their knowledge and abilities in the adoption of sustainable practices, as well as to raise learners awareness, uptake, and acceptance on this issue.
• Policies, curriculum, infrastructure, and the participation of the local community are structural elements of a VET organisation with a greener approach.

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3.2 Proposing green institutional changes

It is crucial to proactively propose and support green institutional changes in a VET organisation, advocating for sustainability and the development of comprehensive internal procedures based on the SDGs. It is also important to ensure their effective implementation through well-structured action plans.

Promote and support structural changes

• Promote awareness and understanding of the benefits of adopting green practices among the VET community.
• Identify key areas for structural changes, including policies, curriculum, facilities, and community involvement.
• Analyse the relevance of specific SDGs to the VET organisation's mission and vision.
• Propose the improvement of the facility's water and energy systems so that it can be regarded as environmentally friendly structures, in conformity with efficiency guidelines and environmental regulations.
• Propose changes in food and waste management systems to promote circular economy practices and behavioural shifts within the community of the VET organisation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to build consensus and support for sustainability initiatives.

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Support the development of internal procedures emphasising green practices and their implementation

• Formulate internal procedures and guidelines that integrate sustainable practices in various aspects of the organisation.
• Ensure that these internal procedures are clear, actionable, and accessible to all the VET centre community.
• Develop detailed action plans that outline specific steps to implement green practices and that clearly indicate the measures to take and how to monitor and evaluate them.
• Set realistic timelines, responsibilities, and measurable targets for each action in the plan.
• Identify potential challenges and devise strategies to overcome them during the implementation process.
• Create an eco-code that will serve as the community's code of conduct, outlining green standards and rewarding behaviours and initiatives that promote environmental sustainability.
• Create a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the progress and impact of the green institutional changes.

3.3 Integrating sustainability in teaching and training

By developing the capacity to effectively integrate sustainability into their teaching and training methods, VET teachers/trainers will be equipped to create an eco-conscious learning environment that empowers learners to apply green skills in their activities.

• Identify key sustainable principles and concepts relevant to the VET context.
• Design curricula and training provision that empower learners to acquire new knowledge, skills, attitudes, and responsibility towards environmental practices.
• Explore innovative teaching methods that incorporate eco-conscious approaches.
• Adapt existing teaching materials to include sustainability-related content.
• Encourage hands-on learning experiences that promote the practical application of green skills.
• Collaborate with relevant environmental experts and other VET organisations to share educational best practices and inspire and support new sustainable processes.
• Create a learning environment that nurtures environmental awareness and responsibility.
• Establish clear and consistent messaging on the importance of sustainable practices.
• Provide resources and tools that support learners in adopting eco-friendly behaviours.
• Equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to engage in sustainable practices.
• Integrate technology and digital tools to enhance environmental education delivery.
• Suggest learning opportunities that connect green skills to real-world applications and green career pathways.
• Encourage learners to think critically and creatively about environmental challenges and solutions.
• Foster a sense of responsibility and agency in learners to contribute to a sustainable future.
• Recommend that part of the curricula be assigned cooperation projects with the local community to develop innovative sustainable solutions and promote behavioural change.
• Evaluate learners based on the green skills developed, the impact of the activities in the VET organisation and local community, and the way each learner integrated them into her/his learning path.

Source: freepik.com

3.4 Empowering educators for environmental education

Teachers/trainers and VET staff must be empowered with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver effective environmental education. They will gain confidence in engaging learners and promoting sustainable behaviours, thereby contributing to a culture of sustainability within the VET organisation.

• Promote the recognition of the role of VET teachers/trainers and staff in promoting green-conscious behaviours and encourage them to be role models for sustainable behaviours within the VET organisation.
• Propose regular in-service training to upskill the teachers/trainers on environmental education and to equip them with the necessary know-how to develop didactic materials and modify existent curricula in the context of the green economy challenges.
• Provide educators with up-to-date knowledge on sustainability principles, practices, and current environmental issues.
• Introduce educators to innovative teaching methodologies and resources for effective environmental education.
• Encourage open dialogue and discussions on environmental challenges and solutions.
• Foster a collaborative environment where educators share best practices in environmental education.

Source: freepik.com