ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
UK will struggle to meet Net Zero targets unless young people are encouraged to join the green economy
More needs to be done to encourage young people towards a career in the waste and resource management industry to tackle plugging the green skills gap, according to a report published today.
In Planning for the future: Recruiting diverse talent into waste and resources management, 70% of 16-24 year olds surveyed have never received any careers advice on the skills required or roles available in the waste and resources management sector, while around half cited a lack of information as a career barrier, despite the UK government legislating a Net Zero emissions target in 2019 for 2050.
Unsurprisingly, as a result, 84% of those questioned have not even considered a career in the sector with insufficient salary, benefits and job instability cited as the other main barriers to entry, according to the research[1] from leading community charity, Groundwork and the Environmental Services and Solutions (ESS) Expo. Among the younger generation (16–17-year-olds), 62% believed that the work is unappealing and ‘dirty’ while almost half (42%) stated that it was the lack of role models in the sector putting them off.
However, in spite of so many young people admitting to not considering a career in the sector, almost half (47%) reported that having a job that helps the UK reach carbon neutrality was important to them, with more of those in the older 18-24 age group considering it important (49%) than those aged 16 and 17 (28%). This suggests that more work needs to be done for employers
60
and those with influence to educate Gen Z on the role they play in achieving Net Zero.
Garry Campbell, Head of Policy & Communications at Groundwork UK, said: “If the UK is to meet its carbon targets, it will require a new and diverse workforce, yet, sadly, our report highlights the work that must be done to ensure young people, particularly those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, don’t miss out on rich and rewarding careers in the environmental sector. To achieve this, we need a mix of better careers guidance in schools, action to inspire young people about the opportunities on offer, and a concerted effort in the sector to create more accessible career pathways.”
A perceived and actual lack of diversity is also a considerable barrier to entry for those from minority ethnic groups. Of the 150,000 people currently employed in the sector in the UK, 97% are white, compared with a national average of 47%, highlighting a clear need for the sector to actively adapt to ensure greater participation. Indeed, according to the report, 32% of black respondents and 29% of Chinese respondents stated that greater diversity in the waste and resources management sector would encourage them to enter. In addition, more entry-level jobs would also appeal to 69% of respondents from a mixed ethnic background.
Rob Mowat, Managing Director of ESS Expo added: “The waste and resources management sector offers a diverse array of career pathways, and this is only expected
| November 2024 |
www.draintraderltd.com
to increase as roles continue to emerge and evolve. However, it is essential that as a group, we come together to boost the visibility of the sector as central to the UK’s climate mission. As an industry, we need to seek out ways of better communicating the opportunities, roles, and benefits of working in the sector in a way that truly resonates with the younger generation. We also need to pair this with tackling the perceived barriers to entry for maximum success.”
While there is still clearly work to be done, there are a number of projects and initiatives ongoing which aim to increase the attractiveness and diversity of the sector. However, while they represent an incredibly positive step, such initiatives require engagement from within the sector with the support of charities as well as government to actively deliver change.
Groundwork’s New to Nature is a programme of paid work placements designed to deliver life-changing career opportunities for people from under- represented groups, whilst contributing to wider efforts to create a more diverse and accessible natural environment sector. The programme was developed to respond to the need for a new green workforce and a lack of diversity in the environmental sector, and is being delivered through a partnership of Groundwork, Youth Environmental Service, Prince’s Trust, Disability Rights UK, and Mission Diverse and is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86
