Article: From coal to green: skills pathways for key emerging sectors in just transition regions Journal: World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development (WREMSD) 2026 Vol.22 No.2 pp.1 - 37 Abstract: The European Green Deal and Just Transition Mechanism present workforce adaptation challenges in regions transitioning from fossil fuel industries. While research documents green skills shortages, sector-specific evidence from Just Transition contexts remains limited. This study examines skills gaps and intervention priorities across Energy, Construction and ICT in Greek Just Transition regions. Drawing on survey data from 519 enterprises, we employ Kruskal-Wallis H-tests, Skills Gap Index analysis and a priority classification framework. Results suggest substantial sectoral differentiation: seven high-priority competencies were identified, six in Energy and one in Construction, with none in ICT. Energy exhibits the largest gaps (mean SGI = 0.162), Construction a focused deficit in green building practices, and ICT smaller gaps but the lowest green transition awareness. Cross-sector analysis indicates 91.4% of competencies are sector-specific, challenging generic training. The study proposes a transition-intensity framework linking sectoral transformation to skills-gap severity and a three-tier priority framework for workforce development. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: From coal to green: skills pathways for key emerging sectors in just transition regions

Authors: George Galanos; Charalampos Agiropoulos; Iason Kyrlis; Konstantina Zlatini

Addresses: Department of International and European Studies, University of Piraeus, Piraeus, Greece ' Department of Economics, University of Piraeus, Piraeus, Greece ' Department of Tourism Studies, University of Piraeus, Piraeus, Greece ' Department of International and European Studies, University of Piraeus, Piraeus, Greece

Abstract: The European Green Deal and Just Transition Mechanism present workforce adaptation challenges in regions transitioning from fossil fuel industries. While research documents green skills shortages, sector-specific evidence from Just Transition contexts remains limited. This study examines skills gaps and intervention priorities across Energy, Construction and ICT in Greek Just Transition regions. Drawing on survey data from 519 enterprises, we employ Kruskal-Wallis H-tests, Skills Gap Index analysis and a priority classification framework. Results suggest substantial sectoral differentiation: seven high-priority competencies were identified, six in Energy and one in Construction, with none in ICT. Energy exhibits the largest gaps (mean SGI = 0.162), Construction a focused deficit in green building practices, and ICT smaller gaps but the lowest green transition awareness. Cross-sector analysis indicates 91.4% of competencies are sector-specific, challenging generic training. The study proposes a transition-intensity framework linking sectoral transformation to skills-gap severity and a three-tier priority framework for workforce development.

Keywords: green skills; just transition; skills gap; workforce development.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2026.153350

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2026 Vol.22 No.2, pp.1 - 37

Received: 09 Feb 2026
Accepted: 07 Mar 2026
Published online: 01 May 2026 *

Title: From coal to green: skills pathways for key emerging sectors in just transition regions

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