NEWS: Groundwork and NPC release new report revealing young people risk missing out on green jobs
Groundwork and NPC have released a report warning that the label ‘green jobs’ risks discouraging some young people from seeking roles in one of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors.
The report sets out key findings on the disconnect between young people and opportunities in the green economy, including that young people from low-income backgrounds want stable, well-paid careers but some assume that ‘green’ jobs are poorly paid or only accessible to those with a university degree. These misconceptions risk excluding them from long-term, rewarding work opportunities.
The rapidly expanding green economy is expected to create an estimated 400,000 additional jobs by 2030 and presents a significant opportunity to support UK growth. However, the research shows that these jobs do not always feel accessible to young people.
The report, Making Green Jobs Accessible for Everyone, is informed by deliberation groups with young people aged 11-21 from low-income backgrounds in England. Published in partnership with Groundwork by NPC’s Everyone’s Environment programme and funded by the EY Foundation, the report calls for the transition to a net-zero economy to be shaped in a way that speaks to the needs and values of young people.
The report produced recommendations for government, employers, training providers and charities that support young people into work to promote accessible opportunities in the green workforce. These include clearer information about apprenticeships, vocational training and non-degree pathways.
Following the report, a webinar with insights from Graham Duxbury, Groundwork UK’s Chief Executive and Alice Warrington, Groundwork’s Youth Advisory Board representative brought together employers, policymakers, educators and young people to discuss how to bridge the ‘green job’ gap.
The discussion unpacked how young people navigate career choices, what practical steps employers can take to widen access and why broadening the definition of ‘green jobs’ matters for accessibility.
Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK Chief Executive, said:
“We know that as we move to a more sustainable economy we’ll need more capacity and new skills in growing sectors such as nature recovery, energy efficiency and the circular economy. We also know from our programmes that, with the right support, young people with barriers to employment can flourish in these roles – building their confidence, connecting with their communities and improving their health and wellbeing.”
“Maximising this opportunity means overcoming misplaced perceptions and providing better ways into entry-level roles with real prospects for progression. Many young people are motivated by a desire to work in a job that helps safeguard their future. Our responsibility is to make sure those jobs are more widely accessible, financially rewarding and provide gateways to good careers.”
Ben Jackson, Policy and Programmes Partner at NPC, said:
“The transition to net zero is creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs. But we need to talk about these opportunities in ways that resonate with young people from all communities.”
“Young people told us clearly that what they want are good jobs – secure, well-paid work with a future. If we focus on the quality of the job first and show how these roles also help tackle climate change, we can open up opportunities to far more people. With the right support, young people facing barriers to employment can thrive in these roles, building their confidence, contributing to their communities and developing long-term careers.”
Lynne Peabody, CEO of EY Foundation, said:
“This research shows that young people from low-income backgrounds are not turning their backs on good work, they’re being turned away by the way “green” jobs are presented. Too often, labelling jobs as “green” can make them seem out of reach, when in reality they may offer exactly what young people tell us they want: good pay, stability and long-term career prospects. Employers now have a clear opportunity to change this and we’re looking forward to seeing how they engage young people in meaningful, sustainable careers that will help them thrive at work.”
Notes to editors
For more information please contact: media@groundwork.org.uk
About Groundwork
Groundwork is a federation of charities with a collective mission to take practical action to create a fair and green future in which people, places, and nature thrive. We support communities and businesses to build capacity and resilience in order to tackle hardship, achieve a just transition to net-zero and help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to healthier, happier lives for all: www.groundwork.org.uk