This blog from Peter Watts FISEP, Trustee of ecoACTIVE and Director of Watts Sustainability, looks at how ecoACTIVE and ISEP are working together to ignite passion for sustainability.
The UK is in a race to decarbonise its economy by 2050. According to the UK’s Climate Change Committee, efforts to reach net-zero and expand low-carbon industries could lead to up to 725,000 net new jobs in low-carbon and renewable sectors by 2030. This underscores the growing opportunity for young people to build meaningful careers in sustainability, and the rising demand for sustainable skills.
ecoACTIVE is a sustainability charity that supports local communities through solution-based, hands-on learning and nature connection to inspire action. The organisation helps people to notice, connect, care, act, and influence, on a journey to sustainable living. ecoACTIVE’s mission is to support resilient and sustainable communities where people and nature thrive.
Through its partnership with ISEP, ecoACTIVE delivers a unique version of the ISEP Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workforce course to school leavers, and sixth form and college students (Key Stage 5). The objective to equip young people with practical knowledge, a recognised certification, and inspiration for green careers, whether they are going on to university, the workplace, a modern apprenticeship, or technical studies.
The demand for sustainability skills is rising across the economy. Employers are increasingly looking for people who understand carbon, environmental risk, resource efficiency, biodiversity protection, responsible sourcing, and systems thinking. Yet many young people still assume that “green careers” means becoming either an environmental scientist or a climate activist.
With development support from the consultancy Watts Sustainability, the course has had content added to focus on opportunities in green jobs and careers. It introduces learners to real-world case studies from business, public services, and community organisations, helping them see how sustainability is embedded in finance, design, procurement, agriculture, media, construction and many other fields of work.
The aim is simple but powerful: to demystify green careers and show that sustainability is not a niche pathway for scientists alone, but rather that sustainable skills are relevant to every job and profession.
The course helps students see that:
- Finance needs sustainability analysts
- Creative industries need sustainable designers
- Local authorities need nature recovery planners
- Retail needs responsible sourcing specialists
- Construction needs retrofit and environmental assessors
Participants leave the training with an internationally recognised certificate from ISEP, which can help them get ahead in the workplace.
But beyond certificates and qualifications, the real impact lies in the stories of inspiration and transformation. Students say the course broadened their horizons about what “green careers” look like, from business and finance to creative industries, and helped them see how every sector needs sustainability champions. Taking part can also give young people a renewed sense of agency.
The initiative is in its infancy but in 2025 alone, ecoACTIVE delivered five courses, reaching 86 students (72 excluding the pilot delivery), with overwhelmingly positive feedback:
94.7% of respondents said the course equipped them with practical skills for future environmental careers
94.7% said they would recommend it to others
The majority rated it 4 or 5 out of 5 as a learning experience
The potential of this programme to inspire young people and to help close the skills gap is immense. One 2025 course participant said:
ecoACTIVE plans further online and in-person delivery in 2026, including a UK-wide online course open to young people across the country. However, expanding access will depend on securing additional funding and sponsorship to keep the programme free for schools, colleges and sixth forms, and individual places.
ecoACTIVE are looking for corporate partners, teachers interested in delivery, and participants. If this is you – then please contact ecoACTIVE’s Senior Learning and Operations Manager, Catia Squarcia catia@ecoactive.org.uk.
You can also read more about the initiative at here.
Author: Peter Watts, Trustee of ecoACTIVE and Director of Watts Sustainability, ISEP Fellow
Title image credit: Shutterstock
Blog images provided by ecoACTIVE
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