Current policies and strategies emphasize the importance of promoting the green transition, fostering sustainability skills, and improving energy literacy to effectively address global environmental challenges. As a result, the demand for professionals with comprehensive competences is increasing.
We have formulated an integrated framework for the assessment of competences in sustainability, energy literacy, and biodiversity organized across five areas: systems thinking of energy systems, biodiversity, resource management, technology, and policy and regulation. By quantifying these competencies, educators and employers have a tool to assess and improve graduate preparation. We applied the developed framework to students from four study programs at the University of Maribor, Slovenia: Physics, Mathematics, Subject Teacher, and Civil Engineering. Using questionnaires, we assessed the students’ competence levels and compared them with market expectations. The results show that the students generally match the market requirements well, although there are differences between the individual study programs. However, there are gaps in policy knowledge and competences related to biodiversity in all study programs. This emphasizes the need to improve curricula to better prepare graduates for sustainability-focused careers. By addressing these gaps and refining educational offerings, we can better prepare future professionals to navigate and lead in sustainability-focused fields and thus make a meaningful contribution to global environmental protection and sustainable development goals.

Authors:
Eva Klemencic, University of Maribor, Slovenia
Robert Repnik, University of Maribor, Slovenia
Matej Mencinger, University of Maribor, Slovenia
Petra Cajnko, University of Maribor, Slovenia

About the Presenter(s)
Eva Klemencic, Asst. Prof. of Physics at the University of Maribor, SI, heads the project Natural Science and Mathematics Contents for the Development of Digital Competences. Her research covers: liquid crystals, complex systems, science education.

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eva-Klemencic

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