With COP29 currently underway, it will undoubtedly restate the urgency surrounding the energy transition. But while the transition demands a faster rollout of clean energy to hit net zero, this progress is stumbling due to a persistent and widening skills gap.
At Schneider Electric, we’re fully committed to meeting this challenge. We’re an impact company and our work is deeply aligned with the Sustainable Developement Goals. In my role as the Ambassador for New Skills for the Future & Innovation initiatives, I’m glad to oversee our corporate’s efforts to upskill youth around the world, empowering them to lead a just, inclusive and sustainable energy transition.
The transition to net zero is impossible with the persisting skills gap
The world’s population is younger than you may think, with 50% of people under 30. Yet, alarmingly, 621 million young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are currently out of education, employment, or training — representing more than 1 in 5 globally. This gap must be closed, not just for the sake of economic outcomes but for advancing social justice and recognizing the role of youth as innovators and impact makers in their local communities.
In response to this growing skills gap, Schneider Electric and its Foundation launched the Youth Education & Entrepreneurship program in 2009 as part of the company’s Youth Impact Through Learning solutions, which aims to empower young individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the challenges of economic inclusion. The program partners with over 400 organizations across 60 countries to train one million young people in energy management by 2025.
A key pillar of this program is the New Skills for the Future & Innovation initiatives, which provide scientifically validated and transformative sustainability training for young people aged 15 to 35 with focus on girls and women. These initiatives focus on 21st-century skills, empowering youth to adapt to the demands of a just energy transition, fostering climate literacy and resilience, and encouraging entrepreneurship to create scalable solutions for local challenges and implement them in real-world settings.
These initiatives have a holistic framework, built on three interconnected pillars: Educate, Energize, and Empower.
1. Educate: building the foundation for the future
The journey begins with education, where the focus is on delivering a diverse range of skills through traditional and digital learning.
Technical Skills:
Youth are trained in essential areas such as:
- Carbon footprint assessment.
- Entrepreneurship.
- Climate awareness and literacy.
- Recycling and e-waste management.
Transversal Skills:
To prepare youth for dynamic, real-world scenarios, they are equipped with:
- Critical thinking.
- Leadership and collaboration.
- Problem-solving.
- Communication skills.
Beyond traditional classroom learning, these initiatives cultivate an ecosystem of partners that includes Schneider Electric employees volunteering alongside innovation accelerators, local organizations, international bodies, and academic institutions. Together, we engage youth in STEM programs, hands-on workshops, and industry-driven training sessions. These practical experiences bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, equipping participants with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the workforce.
INCO Partnership - Get into Energy Transition initiative - Ivory Coast
2. Energize: advancing innovation with solutions-oriented learning & mentorship
After acquiring foundational skills, youth are energized to take their learning to the next level by participating in real-world industry contexts, encouraging deeper engagement and practical problem-solving.
- Design and Prototype Workshops: Participants learn to navigate the project lifecycle, from ideation to execution, collaborating to develop tangible solutions that address environmental risks and climate crises in their communities.
- Mentorship by Schneider Electric Leaders: Experienced leaders volunteer their time to mentor participants, offering guidance, expertise, and encouragement throughout their journey.
These activities ignite their passion for solving pressing global problems while fostering teamwork, creativity, and practical application of their skills. They also prepare youth to think beyond immediate outcomes, helping them envision how their ideas can contribute sustainable, long-term impact.
Sharp Partnership -Conserve My Planet initiative – India
Ancora Partnership - Generator initiative– Indonesia
3. Empower: driving lasting impact through challenges & advocacy
The final step in the framework is empowerment, where youth transition from learners to leaders by driving initiatives infused with entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.
- Innovation Competitions (Local, National, and International): Participants tackle real-world challenges by utilizing climate-smart practices and digital transformation tools to design, refine, and pitch creative and impactful solutions.
- Youth-Led Initiatives: Empowered with the resources and support to implement their solutions on the ground, participants transform prototypes into meaningful, community-driven projects. They emerge as climate Actors and green Ambassadors, equipped to champion a just energy transition.
By enabling youth to execute their ideas and turn them into actionable results, the program fosters resilience and cultivates a generation of leaders ready to lead the energy transition and contribute to a sustainable future.
All around the world, educating the youth is essential for posterity. I’m proud that Schneider Electric and its Foundation are playing an outsized role here, ensuring that all youth can lead the energy transition, regardless of their gender and where they’re born. By using innovation and digital learning, we enable young individuals everywhere to improve themselves, their communities, and the planet.
This effort isn’t just about individual growth—it’s about driving collective progress that serves shared interests, from building resilient communities to fostering sustainable development. We invite you to explore the stories of youth who have turned learning into action through our programs. Together, let’s continue empowering the next generation to lead the way toward a just energy transition for all.
