The future is green, and your skillset can be too
Are you looking for a new challenge or new career? County Durham has a well-established, resilient, and growing green economy, which refers to activities from across different sectors which contribute to achieving net zero, and/or improving the environment. A report commissioned by us found that in 2021/22, the green economy in County Durham was worth around £1.7 billion in sales, employing over 11,000 people.
Green skills
Green skills is an umbrella term for skills, knowledge and behaviours that are harnessed to tackle climate change and help grow and expand climate relevance in our careers.
These skills involve understanding and addressing environmental challenges, such as climate change, energy, technology and sustainable development, across different industries. The demand for green skills is growing with up to 13% of UK jobs now requiring at least one green skill, including simple environmental studies, showing your dedication to the environment can show your initiative to take action.
Why green skills are important
The Government’s Net Zero Strategy describes just how important green skills are in the net zero transition, and outlines actions needed on green investment, jobs, skills and industries and empowering businesses to make green choices. They are the stepping stone into green jobs. From engineering to wind turbine maintenance, architecture to car engineers, sustainability has a growing impact on the future of careers. Green skills could be one more thing to add to your CV and support you in finding your dream job.
By exploring your options of green skills, you are being part of the transition into a greener and more sustainable County Durham and world.
Opportunities in the North East
Skills for Careers on the UK government website shares organised skills and courses anyone can take to up-skill in their career, develop to find a career or just to learn something new. It is very helpfully organised into young people, adults and employer sections to find the right courses for you.
The North East Growth Hub, organised by the North East Combined Authority, shares available courses to up-skill in green construction and green power on their website.
And here are a few other steps you can take to find a course:
- Check local college courses: Explore courses offered by local colleges, universities or schools, the growing demand means more and more educators are offering sustainable education.
- Find an apprenticeship: Explore apprenticeship opportunities in the field. Apprenticeships provide hands-on experience and practical training to develop green skills.
- Ask your employer: Ask your manager about opportunities for training and development related to green skills within your current workplace.
- Research online courses: Numerous online platforms offer courses and certifications in green skills, providing flexibility for self-paced learning and development.
The benefits of green skills
The excitement does not just end at you taking a step into your environment saving shoes. There are so many benefits to green skills including:
- Employability: Green skills enhance your employability by aligning you with the evolving needs of a sustainable job market.
- Knowledge: Acquiring green skills equips you with the knowledge needed to address environmental challenges and contribute to sustainable practices.
- Admirable employee: Possessing green skills makes you more in demand, making your current employer more inclined to keep you on or making you more attractive to employers when applying for jobs, reflecting your commitment to creating a positive impact.
- CV enhancement: green skills are one more thing to add to your CV, showing your dedication to development and adaptation in roles and to our world.
So what steps do you think you can make to up-skill in your career to benefit you and our environment?
