Green Jobs for YOU – Green LMI from Lower Austria
The “Green Jobs for YOU” initiative launched by the Province of Lower Austria aims to inspire young people and adults to pursue careers that are meaningful, have a future and have a lasting impact. The aim is for green jobs to gradually become an integral part of educational and career pathways.
Green jobs with a future, purpose and economic stability
Green jobs are careers that make a significant contribution to the climate and energy transition whilst focusing on sustainability and resource conservation. They range from technical and skilled trades through to planning, consultancy and research, and include new services relating to energy, the circular economy and environmental management. Green jobs are no longer a niche sector, but a key driver of economic development and social transformation. Whilst many industries have faltered in times of crisis, green technologies have recorded consistent growth rates over the years – even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Green jobs thus combine environmental responsibility with economic stability and offer meaningful, sustainable career prospects.
Guidance, information and advice for everyone
Despite young people’s keen interest in environmental and climate protection, there is a significant lack of information regarding specific sustainable career prospects. An Austria-wide survey shows that 90 per cent of young people know what recycling means, but only 48 per cent have heard of green jobs, and only 22 per cent have looked into sustainable career opportunities in more detail. This is where “Green Jobs for YOU” comes in. Commissioned by the provincial government and in cooperation with the Lower Austrian Education and Career Guidance Service, in particular with the network partner JUSY, a youth advice centre, the concept was developed and has since been implemented very successfully.
A key measure was the development of a comprehensive and engaging information platform at
www.greenjobs-noe.at. The website offers young people a one-stop shop for sustainable careers and green training pathways. The platform now features over 120 job profiles, numerous videos and an interactive map of green businesses in Lower Austria.
School workshops and visits to green businesses across Lower Austria
As part of the initiative, workshops were developed for 13–15 and 16–18 year-olds, as well as workshops for out-of-school youth work. Following an initial pilot phase, social workers from various youth advice centres in Lower Austria were trained, enabling the programme to be rolled out rapidly across the whole province. These free workshops have already reached more than 5,000 young people. The developed resources and tools are available to download free of charge at https://www.greenjobs-noe.at/en/multipliers/. Since spring 2025, the programme has been expanded to include free school trips to innovative green businesses. This enables young people to experience sustainable careers first-hand and recognise the specific career prospects they offer.
Online platform for adults
The programme is now also specifically aimed at adults seeking a career change or a new direction. The online platform offers adults a comprehensive overview of green career fields and further training opportunities. The initiative has now been successfully implemented for five years and is attracting significant attention across Europe. Its content and objectives have already been presented in numerous webinars, lectures and at conferences. The positive external feedback, as well as the enriching collaboration within the initiative, provide motivation and valuable impetus for the coming years.
Further information at www.greenjobs-noe.at
Contact: DI Veronika Käfer-Schlager, BEd, veronika.kaefer-schlager@noel.gv.at (Province of Lower Austria, Department of Environment and Energy Management) and DI Rosemarie Pichler, r.pichler@bildungsberatung-noe.at (Education and Career Guidance Lower Austria)