Sustainability
Sector insights
When we talk about green jobs, it’s not always clear what this means – there are many different definitions, all with their own strengths and weaknesses. We await with interest the findings of the Green Jobs Project currently being undertaken by the Office for National Statistics for additional clarity and information on this.
There have been several reports published on the topic of green skills – such as those by Deloitte and WorldSkills UK with the Learning and Work Institute – which is to be welcomed. This shows there is a growing demand, and that people are engaging with the topic.
What’s needed, what we’re doing at NCFE and how we can work together
Where we still seem to be falling short is in careers advice and guidance – for adults, as well as young people. At NCFE, we believe that movements need collaborators, and we’re looking to work with other organisations to help us map out what careers, information, advice and guidance (CIAG) should look like for sustainability.
As we make the transition towards net zero by 2050, and with an increasing number of organisations aiming to achieve net zero before 2050, we must make sure that no one gets left behind. We need a just transition where considerations of equity and fairness are embedded – and education has a crucial role to play in this.
We also believe that people need a more general awareness of sustainability and what it means for them, particularly for their careers or when talking to young people about their careers or learning choices. We believe that sustainability should be woven through the curriculum – from early years into adult learning and beyond. This is something we’re going to be doing at NCFE and we would love you to join us on this journey.
Search our full range of qualifications
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Our current qualifications in sustainability can be used to equip learners with skills which will be an investment in their future. These include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness
- Level 3 Certificate in Championing Sustainability in the Workplace (NEW)
- Environmental Awareness Y/502/0650/UNIT
Movements need collaborators – our partnership working
We’ve also been working with National Energy Action (NEA), the national fuel poverty charity, which works to ensure that everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is warm and safe at home. We've accredited two of their online training courses, with a third coming shortly:
- Level 2 Award in The Role of Renewable Technologies in Decarbonising Energy Use in the Home (with National Energy Action)
- Level 4 Certificate in Decarbonising Homes: Technologies, Impacts and Solutions (with National Energy Action)
Essential skills
Transferable, essential skills such as confidence, mental fitness, adaptability, problem-solving and critical thinking are incredibly important in complementing technical skills and sustainability knowledge, in any career journey. To help challenge and support our thinking on this, we work closely with the Skills Builder Partnership and will be using their Essential Skills Framework throughout our products and services to ensure our learners are equipped with these skills.
Looking to the future
Given the pace of change in this sector, we’ll keep this page updated with links to relevant news such as skills reports and policy updates. We’ll also be highlighting some of the other partnerships we have, sharing some examples of the great collaborative work being undertaken.
Movements need collaborators, so we invite you to get in touch and join us on this journey.