A collaboration from DenizBank and UNICEF that will develop the green skills of young people

The two-year module aspires to create vocational training content tailored to the competency needs that emerge in the process of transitioning to a low-carbon economy across different sectors and offer applied learning opportunities to youngsters. The program will unite DenizBank’s experience in sustainable finance and UNICEF’s expertise in education and development of the youth.

3 November, Istanbul -  Within the scope of the collaboration, it is aimed to analyze the professional competencies required in the sectors mentioned in the Transition Finance Framework, which DenizBank created to support the decarbonization investments of emission-intensive sectors, and develop content that can be incorporated into formal and non-formal education programs as well as suitable learning models.

The focus will be on green skills in formal and non-formal education

The professional competencies required by priority sectors for green transformation will be analyzed as part of formal education. In accordance with the findings, the objective is to create contents that support professional and technical education in coordination with the relevant public entities, strengthen the trainers’ capacity and extend green skills in the education system.  In terms of non-formal education, models that could support access to green skills—particularly for young people not present in education and in employment—will be considered. Training and professional development opportunities that will be created through youth centers and relevant education networks will be shaped in line with the results of needs analyses and collaborations with the related institutions. 

“We will support the transformation of the real sector with qualified, green human resource”

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Recep Baştuğ, CEO of DenizBank said: “Comprehensive transformation of production capacities, particularly carbon-intensive sectors, and the access to the funding sources that such investments need are highly important for our country to achieve its 2053 net zero emission target.  Our bank is one of the financial institutions that have assumed a major role in meeting that need. With our Transition Finance Framework, which we have implemented with such approach, we are aiming to fund the investments of companies that operate in sectors where a green transition is difficult, such as iron - steel, cement, aluminum, energy, automotive, agriculture and tourism.  However, it is equally important as the capital support to raise the qualified human resources to actually realize such investments. With the collaboration we have launched with UNICEF, we are aspiring to ensure that young people acquire professional competencies related to low-carbon production processes in line with the needs of the real sector, and facilitate their transition from 

training to employment.  Hence, we will accompany our customers in their transformation by contributing to the development of a qualified workforce that they need. We will also reinforce the technical expertise of the teams in our institution and enhance our capacity to provide guidance beyond funding. We believe that our collaboration will offer new professional opportunities for young people while making a long-term contribution to the competitive edge of the real sector and the sustainable development of our country.” 

“Climate change affects future job opportunities for young people”

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Paolo Marchi, UNICEF Türkiye Country Office Representative, said: “Young people, who will endure the consequences of climate change, must have a say in shaping the solutions. This is because climate change is already affecting education of young people and their future job opportunities. Therefore, we are collaborating with DenizBank to support young people to pick up the green skills that the economy of the future will require as well as to improve the confidence through which they will be able to use such skills. As Türkiye prepares to host COP31, we must have children and youngsters at the heart of the climate action. Because what is at stake is their voices, their ideas and their future. No young person should be left behind.”