LETTERS: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim recently announced that there will be an Asian green jobs forum in April.
At the forum there will be discussions on how to invest more in green jobs and policies as well.
A job fair will also be organised, where courses on green jobs will be featured.
The United Nations Environment Programme defines green jobs as "positions in agriculture, manufacturing, R&D, administrative and service activities aimed at substantially preserving or restoring environmental quality".
China, India, Turkiye and Latin America are far ahead of us in building the necessary entrepreneurial and educational infrastructure for the development of a green economy.
Apart from broadening the discussion on green jobs and green skills, equally critical is the awareness at the state level of the importance of preparing for the transition to a green economy.
Human Resources Ministry officials should visit all the states to prepare for our transition. But there is a lack of educational opportunities for developing green skills in colleges and universities.
For example, when I wanted to pursue a masters in sustainable development, I found only one private university that offered the subject, while public universities provide limited courses.
RONALD BENJAMIN
Ipoh, Perak
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times