Your Green Future

In 2010 InterClimate Network (ICN) partnered with Global Dimension Trust (GDT) to set up Your Green Future (YGF). Through interactive events, which bring about engagement between professionals and schools, YGF seeks to inspire young people (14 – 19) to consider making a personal contribution to the green economy through their choice of career. In this way it will contribute to bridging the ‘green’ skills gap, help address youth unemployment and help ensure the UK becomes a competitive and successful green economy. 

The Background

This is the first initiative of its type in the UK. It grew out of ICN and GDT’s past projects, the UK Government’s strategy for low carbon growth and recommendations made by independent studies. All highlighted that Britain lacks the skills to make the successful transition to a low-carbon, resource efficient economy. Forecasts suggest a massive shortfall in supply of suitably qualified professionals. This includes not only skills in the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector, but also those needed to help all businesses use natural resources efficiently and sustainably and to be resilient to climate change. 

When addressing these challenges it is crucial to focus on the future workforce - today’s young people. Research has revealed that whilst the current generation of young people are very interested in global and environmental issues they have not yet captured the vastness and importance of the green economy and do not see themselves as potential leaders in the drive towards a sustainable future.

At the same time unemployment among 16-24 year-olds, the age group worst affected by the slowdown in the labour market, is currently over 1 million. This situation is not helped by the reduction in career guidance for young people, for instance with the downsizing of Connexions. 95% of 333 young people want employers more involved in careers advice (Deloitte’s,2010). 

Whilst there are many ‘green’ initiatives in the UK both our baseline research and the enthusiastic response of strategic partners to this project reveals that YGF is unique in bridging the gap between massive youth unemployment and ‘green’ skill shortages.

The Approach 

A 2 day inaugural event was held in Gloucestershire in September 2010. 245 Year 11- 13 students from 18 schools and 48 representatives from government, business, and the third sector attended. The event was made possible by local sponsorship and time, energy and dedication given voluntarily.

Between 2011 and 2014 we plan to build a national framework with local ownership in order to expand on the 2010 event and deliver further events throughout the UK. In each area we will work with; local and national businesses; universities, schools and colleges; and specialist providers such as STEM, Rotary and the National Apprenticeship Service. The next event will be in Bristol in March 2012. 

The Agenda 

Schools and colleges will be invited to bring a group of students to participate in one of the two days of this free event. The focus is Years 10 – 13, which incorporates both 16 year old leavers who may be interested in skill based careers and  those wishing to go onto university. Each event will engage 500 + students through:

• Introductory speeches from leading business and political personnel on key low carbon sustainable issues.
• Professionally facilitated workshops led by specialists. They will cover the topics of energy, green innovation, green business and product development, and communication.
• An exhibition area in which students will have the opportunity to interact with local and national businesses.
• An education area, which will allow students to explore further education pathways, from apprenticeships through to PHD's.