Reframing youth perceptions of green career opportunities

As the world moves towards a greener economy, we need to ensure that our young people are prepared. Introducing green skills at an early age doesn’t just increase young people’s knowledge but encourages them to pursue green careers in the future.

Earlier this year the Capgemini Research Institute released a report, Youth perspectives on climate: Preparing for a sustainable future, co-developed with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited. The research analysed young people’s views on the climate crisis, green skills, environmental activism, and government action. The report findings were based on survey responses from 5,100 people aged 16 to 24 across 21 countries, and different socio-economic backgrounds.

Figures at a glance

The figures below show the percentage of young people who agree with each statement:

While the figures show high levels of climate anxiety amongst young people, they also illustrate that there’s still hope that things can change. The research shows that most young people believe we still have time to remedy the problems caused by climate change, highlighting the importance of green careers and skills in helping make this possible.

The UK youth

For the UK, the figures look promising – the majority believe that we can still remedy climate change issues. Nearly two thirds are interested in pursuing a green job, and two thirds believe that they have the necessary green skills to be successful in today’s workforce (significantly higher that the global average).

However, it is concerning that, when asked if developing green skills will open new careers opportunities for them, only 45% of UK youth agreed. This is much lower than the 61% global average, and second lowest of all countries participating. This suggests that even though the UK’s young people have confidence in their skills and are eager to join the green sector, there is a lack of knowledge of the breadth of opportunities available in the industry.

This may be due to the perception that green jobs are only available in traditionally green and technical fields, for example, renewable energy. In fact, as we move towards a green economy, organisations in all sectors will require green roles – from carbon accountants to sustainable events management, green skills and knowledge are becoming essential across all sectors.

What can be done nationwide to help with those figures?

In the report, Youth climate leader Fatma Nur Tosun says:

In order to create the conditions required to see youth-led climate solutions emerge, more needs to be done by policymakers and corporate leaders. In the UK, 63% agree that “Business leaders are not doing enough to fight climate change. Similarly, 61% agree that “Political leaders are not doing enough to fight climate change.” We need leaders to not only introduce more green strategies but also to involve young people in planning, implementing and managing them.

What can be done by leaders?

• Political leaders could engage with young people when developing policies and climate goals.
• Green skills could be considered in core education curriculum.
• Education institutions could develop youth-led projects and volunteering programmes and promote these to their students.
• Corporate leaders could introduce youth-led projects, internships, and work experience opportunities within roles that support the green agenda.
• Businesses can invest in community-based projects, and involve youth voices in implementing green strategies.
• Career leaders and educators can promote initiatives such as the Green Careers Hub to expand knowledge on green skills and job opportunities available.
• Organisations can engage with bodies like the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP), whose purpose is to empower members to become global changemakers, to transform the world today for a sustainable future.

The Green Careers Hub

Initiatives such as the Green Careers Hub focus on raising awareness of upskilling, retraining, and introducing people to green careers. The platform can be used by young people to help them enter or further their green career, as well as organisations and educational institutions to educate and inspire. On the platform you will find:

Introducing green skills at an early age would prepare us for a more sustainable future but also equip the next generation with the skills to tackle the challenges related to climate. If green jobs and skills are promoted and encouraged by organisations and leaders, the hope that climate change impact can be slowed or reversed, will remain strong.

Author: Tally Szewczyk, Team Administrator for the Careers and Education team at ISEP
Image credit: Shutterstock