What does the future hold for digital sustainability skills in Romania? Sixteen national experts have gathered to tackle this pressing question, revealing both challenges and opportunities ahead.
Under the auspices of the European project Digital4Sustainability, Cluj IT and Politehnica Bucharest recently hosted an online National Expert Panel Meeting. The goal? To identify the future demand for digital sustainability roles and skills, as well as the necessary training needs.
Held on July 25, 2024, the event drew on the extensive knowledge of 16 experts in fields related to sustainability. Here’s the complete lineup:
- Alexandru Luchiian, Consultant, Accenture
- Alin Ivan, Consultant, Integrated Consulting
- Andrei Kelemen, CEO, Cluj IT Cluster
- Alina Vasile-Floroaie, CEO, The Climate School
- Bogdan Mocanu, Lecturer, Politehnica Bucharest
- Cătălin Negru, Researcher, Politehnica Bucharest
- Florin Pop, Professor, Politehnica Bucharest
- Ionuț Petre, Head of Research Department, ICI Bucharest
- Kinga Hening, Researcher, Babeș-Bolyai University
- Miana Florian, Sustainability Officer, RebelDot
- Mircea Vădan, CEO, Activize
- Natalia Ciobanu, Founder, ThinkT
- Oliviu Matei, CEO, Holisun SRL
- Roxana Rusu, Sustainability Manager, Rombat
- Sorin Rotariu, CEO, GitsCom
- Timea Farkas, Researcher, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
Kicking Off with Vision and Insight
Bogdan Mocanu opened the session with a concise presentation of the project’s aims and objectives. Over the next four years, 24 main partners and five associated entities will collaborate to craft a Digital Sustainability Skills Strategy for the EU workforce. This initiative aims to equip professionals with the skills needed to design, develop, deploy, and manage digital technologies for sustainable economic, environmental, and social development.
The Demand for Digital Sustainability Roles
Moderating the first and second panels, Andrei Kelemen, CEO of Cluj IT, initiated a participant tour de table, allowing each guest to present their professional experience and expertise. Discussions quickly moved to the short-term and long-term demand for digital sustainability roles.
The main concern raised by a majority of experts refers to the lack of clarity around the legislative framework at national level, as there is no commonly accepted understanding of what sustainability implies. Once this is sort out, we must direct our attention towards shaping new mentalities that entail more openness and willingness to embrace digital change and adapt to an ever evolving environment.
“Digital sustainability roles need further development, with precise details about their specifics. We are still adhering to outdated patterns.”
The consensus was clear: in the early stages of development, newly founded companies often prioritize survival and attracting capital, losing sight of sustainability.
“Small companies are striving to survive and face difficulties in implementing sustainability activities.”
There is also limited know-how within organizations on how to implement these principles. However, the experts foresee a significant rise in demand for system engineers and digital transformation specialists in the next two years.
“Companies are becoming more aware of their digitalization needs and should work with a gatekeeper to filter incoming offers and make the best decisions possible.”
Long-Term Vision and Emerging Technologies
Looking ahead, the adoption of technologies like AI, Blockchain, and IoT seems inevitable, along with the promotion of a collective interest to invest more time and resources into a digital sustainability education. What’s even more interesting is the concept of “digital resilience”, explained as the higher commitment of individuals aged 55 and above, compared to younger generations.
“The upcoming two years will represent a period of change for many companies, which will modify their processes and adopt artificial intelligence technologies. The demand for digital sustainability roles will become evident only after these years.”
Skills for Sustainable Transition
In the second session, discussions focused on the skills necessary for a sustainable digital transition.
“Sustainability is not the responsibility of a single person, but an integral part of each job description.”
Effective leadership and internal communication emerged as pivotal and highly influential. When performed right, it has the power to contribute to better budget allocation, both in terms of human and material resources necessary to implement sustainable actions.
“We can discuss the concept of an ‘agent of change,’ meaning someone who specialises in internal communication and can effectively spread the message about sustainability. Leadership is not always open to this kind of change.”
Data analysis and management are also seen as future-proof skills. The current bureaucratic side of things often involves dealing with reports and numbers, which can be quite difficult to understand, if lacking proper skills.
“A sustainability officer needs to have a background in environmental information, as well as technical know-how about data management.”
On the long run, however, storytelling was mentioned as equally important in shaping favorable attitudes and behaviors towards digital sustainability, among employees. Other experts feel that innovation and curiosity are at the forefront of success, ensuring better cost-effective actions, optimization processes and cost-reduction strategies that help employees stay anchored in the evolving reality.
“It is no longer about VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) but about BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible).”
Educational Needs and the Role of Universities
Moderated by Bogdan Mocanu, the final panel session addressed the training and educational needs for the future.
Academia members have highlighted the pivotal role played by universities in this context, which, in many cases, support professional reconversion. In addition, researchers are of the opinion that universities, in collaboration with the industry and private sector, have the responsibility to develop educational programmes focused on sustainable development, taking into account the establishment of an advisory board.
“It has already been proven that post-university courses have helped internal staff members gain sustainability knowledge in the energy field.”
Regarding this conversion topic, it was further explained that Romanian companies have expressed the need for training in the field of sustainability, particularly regarding the formation of sustainability teams for the implementation of many projects.
“Sustainability is not a full science yet, meaning there is still little information around what it is and why we need it. In the IT sector we introduced the notion of ‘technical debt’, we should do the same and introduce the notion of ‘sustainability debt’.”
Conclusion
In summary, while Romania faces a high demand for digital sustainability roles and skills, the path forward requires a clearer legal framework and robust educational efforts. Sustainability should be a collective responsibility across all sectors, driven by a collaborative work environment and shared commitment to a sustainable future.
