Sustainability festival launches for young people across Yorkshire and the Humber
A sustainability festival set to showcase the importance of green skills in the economy could be ‘game-changing’ for young people across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The Greener Futures Youth Festival takes place throughout June and July and is designed to inspire and excite young people across the region about their role in building a greener future through a programme of interactive events and opportunities.
Delivered by Ahead Partnership, and key employers and voices within the sector, the event will run in partnership with the Yorkshire Sustainability Festival. The initiative seeks to challenge misconceptions about environmental sustainability and showcase the work being done now to support a greener future to the next generation, helping to boost their interest and engagement with the sector.
According to the organisers: green skills are becoming increasingly important for all jobs as the UK transitions to net zero. In addition young people are looking for things to make them stand out in an ever more competitive job market, and the festival aims to help them develop the skills and knowledge to get ahead.
The Greener Futures Youth Festival will see a diverse programme of events reach schools and students across the region, including careers panels, speed networking and a strong line-up of interactive workplace visits designed to give young people the opportunity to collaborate closely with industry professionals and gain hands-on sector experience.
Ahead Partnership will deliver these flagship events as part of its wider, Growing Talent Greener Futures programme. This multi-year initiative, co-designed and co-delivered by employers within the sector including Landsec and Arcadis, aims to inspire and engage young voices with the green agenda, foster a more diverse and inclusive greener workforce, and secure a pipeline of talent with the necessary skills and experience to meet the needs of industry.
Georgina Johnson, programme manager at Ahead Partnership, said:
“Climate change can bring uncertainty and worry for the next generation, but its solutions give rise to fantastic career paths for them. We are so excited to launch the first Greener Futures Youth Festival to show young people how different industries across the region are responding to climate change and improve their chances at securing a great career.
“Seeing so many organisations joining forces to invest in young talent in the name of sustainability is incredibly encouraging for the future inclusivity and potential of our future workforce, and the future of our planet.”
Paul Wrigley, senior technical director at Arcadis, said:
“Lack of access to a skilled workforce remains the greatest limiter within the green economy, so we are keen to welcome students into our place of work to play our role in the development of future skills and future talent.
“We have so much insight and experience to share with the students getting involved and are excited to learn as employers from their own invaluable perspective. We look forward to helping students build their interest in the sustainability sector, to equip them with the knowledge they need and help them unlock their full potential.”
Steven Foster, centre director of Leeds Trinity and White Rose Shopping Centres, Landsec, said:
“The work we’ve undertaken with Ahead Partnership over the years has showcased how essential it is to engage with young people on issues that we face together, to help expand their understanding and experience of the needs of tomorrow, and their role within it.
“The Yorkshire and Humber regions will see significant growth and opportunity within green innovation over the next 10-20 years, so we need to ensure that future workforces have the necessary skills and drive to help us to unlock this potential.
“We want to secure and boost opportunities in this growing sector for all young people and are committed to supporting initiatives like the Greener Futures Youth Festival to help deliver this. It is our responsibility as business leaders invest in a more inclusive workforce to support the delivery of our sustainability goals.”
Our cities, placemaking, living and the net zero challenge programme is supported by E.ON, Equans and Mears
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