Shaping a Sustainable Future: Green Skills Week 2021
Speakers for Schools is teaming up with Britain’s most environmentally focused employers to tackle the unemployment crisis and future-proof the next generation in a post-COVID economy. To coincide with the UK Prime Minister’s announcement for a Green Industrial Revolution, Speakers for Schools is launching a campaign to introduce young people to Green Skills as future career options. Many of the points in the Prime Minister’s plan will be achieved by those who are in school today.
Young people aged 11+ will be invited to take part in the charity’s Green Skills Week in April 2021 which will introduce them to sector leaders and potential employers within Green technology and finance. Green Skills Week will offer young people valuable insight days, practical experience and access unique training and recruitment opportunities.
The campaign will kickstart with a series of virtual talks by eminent leaders from key industries in the 10-point plan. During the Easter holiday, young people will attend virtual insight days, take part in work experience placements and explore pathways from professionals in industries such as electric vehicle manufacturing, agroforestry, advanced fuels and nuclear energy.
Speakers for Schools works with approaching 250 of the UK’s leading employers and will partner with pioneering organisations who are passionate about building green skills for the future, such as leading UK construction company Morgan Sindall and Johnson Matthey, a leader in sustainable technologies.
The industry sectors which will be featured are: Science, Nature, Construction, Infrastructure and Utilities, Technology, Travel, Construction, Accountancy and Investment, Public Policy and Consultancy. Jobs which support the green economy include scientists and engineers supporting nuclear and renewable energy, environmental impact consultants, technicians able to install energy-efficient measures for homes, schools and hospitals and scientists to interpret climate change projections.
In light of the ‘Lifetime Skills Guarantee’, Speakers for Schools is also partnering with universities, colleges and apprenticeship providers to run virtual information days on the relevant progression opportunities they offer. Speakers for Schools works with over 2,500 secondary schools and colleges and will connect young people from all backgrounds across the UK to level up into new industries and future proof the next generation in a post-COVID economy.
Robert Peston, Founder of Speakers for Schools and Political ITV Editor, said: “The COVID-19 crisis is focussing minds on the jobs and skills we will need for a sustainable return to growth and prosperity. Speakers for Schools is proud to be making its contribution with Green Skills Week.”
Chair of Speakers for Schools, Andrew Law added: “Green Skills Week is a great fit for both appealing to the students of today and for businesses that need them to help drive a greener future.”
Jason Elsom, CEO, Speakers for Schools, said: “As the pandemic presents unprecedented barriers to young people, this is a great opportunity to help them imagine an exciting future and start to equip them with the skills and experiences they need to flourish in the Green Economy. As the UK aims to reach net-zero by 2050, the key players to make this happen are in education today and together we must build pathways for all young people to contribute to this ambitious goal.”
Andy Haldane, Chief Economist at the Bank of England added: “A green revolution will require green skills, especially among younger people. Green Skills week is about fast streaming those skills and, with them, the green revolution.”
Jane King, UK Environment Manager for Morgan Sindall Construction said “It is a fantastic opportunity for Morgan Sindall Construction to get involved with Green Skills Week. Responding to the climate and biodiversity emergency is critical to the long term sustainability of the construction sector and there is a huge gap to fill. There is a massive opportunity to harness the younger generations enthusiasm and passion within the future of the built environment and its supply chain.”
On Wednesday 18th November 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that “Although this year has taken a very different path to the one we expected, I haven’t lost sight of our ambitious plans to level up across the country. My Ten Point Plan will create, support and protect hundreds of thousands of green jobs, whilst making strides towards net-zero by 2050.”