The research focuses on determining the prospects for developing the digital and green competencies of employees in climate-smart manufacturing through distance education at universities in Central Asia (CA) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). It considers the experiences of all 14 CA and EAEU countries, analyzing data from 2024. The constructed regression model explains the contribution of initiatives to develop the digital and green competencies of workers in climate-smart manufacturing at universities to the staffing support of these industries. The model unveils the “black box” of university management focused on providing personnel support for climate-smart manufacturing, highlighting its theoretical significance. The authors conclude that remote higher education offers extensive opportunities for developing the digital and green competencies of employees, thereby strengthening the staffing support for climate-smart manufacturing. The authors made a forecast for the enhancement of digital and green competencies of employees through distance higher education, the practical significance of which lies in the fact that the author’s forecast will strengthen the staffing support for climate-smart manufacturing in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Additionally, the authors developed practical recommendations, the managerial significance of which is that their implementation will improve university management in supporting the development of climate-smart manufacturing in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan through remote learning.