Our Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship Programme has won the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Sustainability Award at the 2023 International Green Gown Awards which celebrate the inspirational sustainability work and projects of higher education institutions across the world.
The programme, which is led by UWE Bristol, and was previously partnered with the Black South West Network and NatWest for 2022 activity, provides access to green jobs, training and business opportunities to Black, Asian and minoritised young people (aged 18-28), and recent graduates living in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset.
The programme beat off stiff competition from sustainability initiatives from institutions across the world including universities and colleges from Malaysia, France, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, whilst the judges commended the programme, saying “This is a really innovative project bringing together an identified skills gap, employment, support and development opportunities for under-represented groups to deliver a net zero challenge.”
Over 100 young people have successfully completed the first stage of a transformational ‘first of its kind’ green skills training programme designed to empower young people with skills, knowledge, insights and industry contacts to assist them in pursuing careers in the growing green sector. The initial phase of the project has provided each of them with access to eight days of paid training – covering energy, food, living and the circular economy, transport and air quality, Passivhaus construction, innovation and enterprise.
They have been introduced to a number of inspirational industry, community and business consultants, participated in interactive workshops, completed group activities and been provided with opportunities to reflect on their personal development and future careers through one-to-one coaching and mentoring sessions.
Stage two of the project has provided the learners with the opportunity to embed their knowledge and refine the skills they have been developing through access to one of four skills pathways: a fully funded internship with a local organisation, a fully funded research internship at UWE Bristol, funding to cover industry training, or further learning and support to help set up a Green Tech business or Social Enterprise.
On winning the award Vice-Chancellor Steve West said: “Sustainability is at the heart of Transforming Futures, UWE Bristol’s Strategy 2030. Winning this Green Gown Award is welcome recognition for the many actions of students and staff that are helping to make UWE Bristol a more sustainable university.”
The Green Skills Programme is an initiative funded by the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund (CRF) and managed by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) on behalf of the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
Although the 2023 activity is now funded and led solely by the University, we seek to acknowledge and recognise the invaluable funding and delivery partnerships that enabled and supported award-winning outcomes intially.
The winners were announced at an online awards ceremony held as part of the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on Monday 17 July View the full list of winners and finalists on the Green Gown website which also includes a recording of the awards ceremony.
Find out more about the Green Skills programme in this episode of UWE Bristol’s Changemaker podcast.