In view of the climate crisis and the energy revolution, the demand for “green jobs”, i.e. professions in the environmental sector, is increasing sharply: These include, for example, chimney sweeps who provide energy advice, fitters for photovoltaic systems and waste disposal specialists. In a study conducted by the Market Institute in Linz, the Chamber of Commerce asked how young people in the 9th grade feel about “green jobs”. 400 students were interviewed for this.
71 percent are therefore interested in a “green apprenticeship”. “Young people want to be fit for the future and take up a job that is meaningful,” said Mariana Kühnel, Deputy General Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, at an online press conference.
The general interest is about the same among both boys and girls. When asked whether they could imagine taking up an apprenticeship in areas such as laboratory technology, biochemistry, waste disposal, recycling, installation and building technology or heating technology, a third of the girls surveyed either gave no answer or were unsure. For boys it was only 13 percent.
Working with role models
“The more technical it gets, the more difficult it is for us to move young women in this direction,” said Market Managing Director David Pfarrhofer. The top apprenticeships for girls are still retail clerk, office clerk and hairdresser.
Due to the great demand, inspiring young people is the order of the day: “We want to work more with role models,” said Kühnel. Now you have to roll up your sleeves.
Source: Nachrichten
