Reskilling is best thought of as the process of "re-acquiring the capacity to function well on mostly local resources." Although this may in many cases mean "re-acquiring the skills people used to have," we live in a different world than our ancestors of 50 or 100 years ago. The technologies and knowledge at our disposal, as well as the current situation, are different, and it will be up to us to determine what skills are needed to live well in a world of declining energy resources.
Here is a short list of likely examples:
- Growing food with all local inputs
- Seed saving, propagation, etc.
- Food preservation without refrigerators
- Heating and cooling buildings without fuel, or with minimal, local fuel
- Construction with local materials
- Repairing everything (from carpentry to welding to electronics)
- Creative re-use of materials
- Water catchment and greywater systems
- Producing medicines locally
- Producing arts and entertainment in the community or at home
- Building composting toilets
- Solar cooking and water heating
Local people know how to do all of these things. We envision their knowledge spreading rapidly in the years to come.