Steps you can take on your journey to a green career

Green careers are no longer only made up of jobs that have a direct, positive impact on the planet. These careers were thought of as those that involve renewable energy, electric transport, energy efficiency or nature conservation. But right now, as more sectors transition to low-carbon models, every job has the potential to become green. 

As industries move towards the target of Net Zero, more job roles which were not thought of as green are becoming green, along with new roles being created because of this shift. As Gen Z and Millennials are now representing more than 50% of the UK workforce. The push for a greener and more sustainable approach to work means employers are considering their values, ethics and priorities.

How can I make my career greener?

These are some suggestions of different steps you can take to make your career greener, no matter where you are in your employment journey.

Education (school, college, and university)

Research what GCSE and A-level subjects or vocational/technical courses are best suited to you and will lead onto the green job or course you are interested in
Look at the course content, are there sustainable or green units? 
Look for course/degrees with a focus on climate change and sustainability eg. environmental science, urban planning, and renewable energy.

Apprenticeships

Look for apprenticeships which are supportive of the Net Zero goals. There are over 70 to choose from, with 100 existing apprenticeships being revised to make them greener.

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Employment

Here are tips if you’re looking for employment:

Look for companies with green/sustainable policies and goals 
Research different types of green jobs that you are interested in
Use recruitment sites that focus on green/sustainable jobs.

Here are tips if you’re currently employed:

Ask about sustainable/green policies
Join or set up a sustainability network or group to promote change within the workplace.

Volunteering/other opportunities

Join or start a club or society that focuses on climate change and sustainability
Volunteer your free time at different charities and organisations that are involved with fighting the climate crisis.

Update your skills

Look for free online courses that focus on developing your knowledge and skills around sustainability
If you are in employment, ask your employer about professional development courses so you can contribute to the organisation's sustainability goals
If you are looking for a career change, you can enrol in full-time or part-time study.