The ongoing COP29 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 committed to meeting this challenge. We’re an impact company whose work is deeply aligned with the Sustainable Developement Goals. In my role as Ambassador for New Skills for the Future & Innovation initiatives, I oversee our corporate effort to upskill youth around the world, empowering them to lead a just energy transition.
The skills gap is a heavy roadblock for net zero
The world’s population is younger than you may think, with 50% of people under 30. But alarmingly, 621 million 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 economic outcomes but advancing social justice and recognizing the role of youth as innovators and impact makers in their local communities.
In response to this, Schneider Electric and its Foundation launched the Youth Education & Entrepreneurship program in 2009, as part of the company’s Youth Impact Through Learning solutions, This 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 pillar of this program is the New Skills for the Future & Innovation initiatives, providing scientifically validated and transformative sustainability training for people aged 15 to 35, with a focus on girls and women. These initiatives focus on 21st-century skills. We train youth to deliver a just energy transition, foster climate literacy and resilience, and encourage entrepreneurship to create scalable solutions for local challenges.
These initiatives are holistic, built around three interconnected pillars: Educate, Energize, and Empower.
1. Educate: building the foundation for the future
We start with education, and focus on imparting diverse skills through traditional and digital learning.
Technical Skills:
Youth are trained in essential areas like:
- 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.
These initiatives go beyond the classroom, using an ecosystem of partners that includes Schneider Electric employee volunteers, 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 professionally.
INCO Partnership - Get into Energy Transition initiative - Ivory Coast
2. Energize: advancing innovation with solutions-oriented learning and mentorship
After learning foundational skills, youth 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 passion for solving pressing global problems while fostering teamwork, creativity, and practical application of skills. They also prepare youth to think beyond immediate outcomes and toward sustainable, long-term impact.
Sharp Partnership -Conserve My Planet initiative – India
Ancora Partnership - Generator initiative– Indonesia
3. Empower: driving lasting impact through challenges and advocacy
The final step in the framework is empowerment, where young people from learners to leaders through 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 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.
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, cultivating the new generation of climate leaders, regardless of gender or where they’re born. By using innovation and digital learning, we enable young individuals everywhere to improve themselves, their communities, and the planet.
