Young people are at risk of being locked out of the green economy, according to a report by Co-op.

The research found ‘significant barriers’ to accessing green skills and careers, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Green Opportunities report identifies a range of common barriers preventing young people from entering green careers, including:

• Limited awareness and understanding of green career pathways;
• financial barriers and the cost of training or entry routes;
• lack of local opportunities and exposure to green industries;
• confidence and identity barriers, with some young people feeling green careers are ‘not for people like me’.

Commenting on the report, Shirine Khoury-Haq, Group CEO of Co-op, said: “Like us, young people across the country care deeply about caring for the environment and protecting nature, but too many feel jobs in the green economy of the future is out of reach.”

“At Co-op, we remain committed to delivering our net zero ambitions and encouraging every community, business and government to play their part. We also remain rooted in our view that talent and skills are distributed evenly across the country, but opportunities are not.”

The research was launched at Westminster alongside a Senior Official for Climate in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Former CIWM President Dr Adam Read MBE, Chief External Affairs and Sustainability Officer at SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, said the research was not surprising.

Read told Circular Online: “In our own research of 16-24 years olds the sectors going through a net zero transition (like waste management) are not considered attractive because they have no real visibility of the career paths and no real understanding of the roles, skills and qualifications needed.”

“So few schools have careers advisors that are looking at and understand the opportunities in the circular economy and so even in subjects where recycling, environmental management and pollution control are being taught there is little emphasis given to career opportunities, which in my opinion is a real shame!”

“This must change, and this is where major employers like SUEZ and CIWM have much to offer in terms of interesting career path examples, summaries of the core skills needed tomorrow and in five years by our sector.”

Co-op’s £2m Green Opportunities Fund

Co-op has launched its £2 million Green Opportunities Fund, which is delivered by its charity, the Co-op Foundation. The fund will support initiatives helping young people build the skills and networks needed to access green jobs, with a focus on communities historically excluded from the transition to net zero.

The Green Opportunities Fund will be financed through the proceeds from the sales of compostable carrier bags at Co-op stores across the UK.

Co-op says the fund will support a range of activities, including training, mentoring, accredited programmes, community-led projects and partnerships with employers, including in food and farming.

Nick Crofts, CEO of the Co-op Foundation, commented: “The Co-op Green Opportunities Fund will contribute to creating communities that look to a more sustainable future with equal access to opportunity.”

“I’m proud that not only have we used research to guide us where to focus this funding, but that we’ve worked with young people to develop this fund. We’re passionate that no decisions are made about young people without young people.”

The post Young people at risk of being locked out of green economy, Co-op report finds appeared first on Circular Online.