Renewable Careers

There’s no question it’s a cliche that young people want to change the world, but at the moment this is a welcome thought. A 2022 survey by Prospects, an employment agency for students, showed that the majority of graduates said that they wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. Then a 2023 survey by E.ON revealed that seven out of ten young people aged 16 to 24 want to work in a ‘green’ job so that they can play their part in supporting the future of the planet. The career landscape of the 2020s is shifting and changing as rapidly as the climate itself. But how are schools navigating this so that pupils can find and enter the job they hope to do?

Well, you’d certainly be hard pushed to find a school that didn’t acknowledge the new wave of jobs that are being created. ‘It is so important to make our girls aware of the changing nature of Labour Market Information (LMI) and ensure that we introduce them to the jobs of the future, not just the traditional paths,’ says Jonathan Caseley, Careers Coordinator at Sherborne Girls’ School, a school set in the beautiful town of Sherborne in Dorset. It provides pupils from Year 7 to A level with a comprehensive understanding of both local and global issues, with a particular emphasis on sustainability and environmental challenges, as well as initiatives such as a Fashion Forward Clothes swap that was spearheaded by the pupil-led Eco Council.

And the proof is very much in the academic pudding; recent alumni are studying subjects such as environmental sciences, sustainability and geography, all of which are degrees that might lead to environmentally focused careers.

Sherborne Girls’ School, Dorset

In addition to learning about subjects ranging from environmental tourism and sustainable food production, The Joint Pupil Forum, which is between Sherborne Boys’ and Girls’ Schools, is one way in which pupils share ideas and initiatives. To mark Earth Day, student independently recruited 40 volunteers who suited up and tidied the town’s streets. ‘Together, we are not just discussing environmental issues. We’re taking tangible steps towards a sustainable future, reinforcing the importance of our roles as stewards of the planet,’ say current pupils Alice E and Imo C. And of course this idealism is being taken into the offices of the near future.

It’s not all about science. Many subjects can be useful if pupils wish to take an interest in the environment into their future. ‘I can definitely say that we are delivering more and more curriculum content on sustainability,’ says Richard Fuller, Head of Geography at partner school, Sherborne Boys, and a member of the careers team. ‘The A-level course includes a whole unit on environmental management. In addition, the AS level looks at population and food resources and also has lots of content on sustainability’.

There’s a strong sense that schools are keeping pace with real life in recognising the importance of these new careers with a sustainable shift. ‘When I was growing up, jobs fighting climate change, which are going to embrace sustainability and a healthy environment, didn’t even exist,’ says Irfan Latif, Head of co-ed Royal Hospital School in Suffolk. Global awareness is an integral part of the school ethos. ‘Just this week we’ve had our Head of Careers talking to pupils about green careers.’ He says that there is broad scope within available jobs. ‘It’s not all about STEM subjects. Yes, there’s science, technology, engineering and maths, but it’s also about communications, problems solving, decision making and political agency, so jobs might include climate scientists and responsibility and sustainability practitioners.’

Pupils are encouraged to ‘green up’ their CVs; who’d have thought that would be an integral part of some university entries! Royal Hospital School is set in 200 acres of Suffolk Countryside overlooking the River Stour, and the grounds pretty much represent a vast classroom. ‘We look at how we use our estate efficiently,’ says Irfan. ‘We have our own water system and are looking to create our own electricity. And we also look at preserving and protecting the wildlife both on and off the water’. He says that this is a generation who are very aware of their responsibilities going forwards. ‘The interest we nurture in them by developing our own energy supply will mean that they might in the future have jobs in building sustainable cities that are flood proof. We’re just trying to inspire that initial interest and knowledge.’

In fact, the majority of schools embed sustainability into the curriculum so that pupils recognise how it permeates every area of life. King Edward’s School in Bath is an excellent example of a school with this ethos. ‘We are well aware that the world of work is changing immeasurably,’ says Julia Rees-Roberts, Careers Education Coordinator. ‘All the way through we encourage our pupils to think about different ways of living and interacting with the environment.’

The school specifically encourages and supports pupils who might want to work in renewables and sustainability. Last year, KES had a green careers and ethics convention with around 15 experts from all areas, including parents who worked in renewable industries, a canals and rivers expert and zoologists. ‘All the heads of department looked at how it could tie in with what pupils needed to know for their A level courses, whilst also stretching and challenging them, and hoping to inspire and prepare them for their futures, to see the scope of career that might be available, and what they’d need to do to enter these.’ She says that sixth formers were inspired and enthused.

In Year 12, pupils have work experience opportunities. ‘Quite a few go and do something specifically environmentally based, such as zoology, and they get a chance to meet some of our industry experts’.

King Edward’s School, Bath

Notting Hill and Ealing High School GDST, an award-winning girls’ school in West London’s leafy Ealing, has also enthusiastically embraced the new wave of job opportunities. The school has a new sustainability strategy that permeates throughout the school and is supremely manifested in the new carbon-neutral sustainable junior school that opened at the end of 2023. Throughout their time at the school pupils are empowered with the knowledge and skills necessary to nurture a healthier planet.

‘We have found there is a growing demand for information about careers in the green and renewable energy sector,’ says Catherine Parr, Head of Careers. The school has taken a multi-pronged approach. ‘We have a number of alumnae and other members of the school community working in this sector who have been actively supporting our careers programme with talks, work experience and mentoring. Last year we co-hosted the GDST Sustainability Careers spotlight talk with three speakers. This year, our Careers Fair (to be held February 2025) will include aspects of sustainability across many different fields, including engineering, economics, politics and charity/aid.’

Employing the skills of alumni and parents to encourage and inspire is another common theme. Being directly supported by those already working in the field can give a realistic perception of what jobs might entail. At Stephen Perse Senior School, in Cambridge, they are often visited by guest speakers.

‘They give our older students insight into different careers within the varied field of sustainability, covering areas such as construction, engineering, climate planning and mitigation, and renewable energy development and applications,’ says Helen Cornish, Director of Development and Communications. ‘In the past year, we have welcomed a representative from Mott MacDonald who spoke about planning for and building in climate change resilience to major infrastructure projects, while one of our parents spoke to students about their role as Director of Sustainability at Specsavers and their career path to reach that point.’

And working in renewals surely means an appreciation of the needs of others and working together. To this end, look no further than Stowe School in Buckingham. ‘I think young people see the climate and renewals as a lifestyle and a way of living,’ says Head, Anthony Wallersteiner. ‘Whatever age they are, they might not yet link, for example, engineering and being environmentally conscious, but these days they are inextricably connected. We help join those dots.’ Stowe has what they call a Big Issue conference to which they invite schools around the country. ‘A couple of years ago it was about climate action, and the kids brought in the head of Greenpeace, talking about what each child can do, either working in this space or supporting and helping.’

In turbulent times, it is highly reassuring that renowned and respected educators are supporting and grounding our children towards what now – hopefully – feels like a brighter and more sustainable future.