#LoveOurColleges Day 3 - Green Skills

About Colleges Week

Colleges Week is a time of celebration and appreciation for the invaluable role that further education institutions play in our society. As we participate in the #LoveOurColleges campaign, which is led by the Association of Colleges, we are delighted to celebrate our members that are making a significant difference to sustainability in the sector. Sustainable practices make colleges stand out and EAUC is proud to showcase that!

The celebrations last for two weeks, from 9th to 22nd October, with each week adopting a different focus. Today's theme is Green Skills, so who are we featuring?

What are ‘Green Skills’? Do these impact all careers?

Green Skills draw on a range of knowledge, values, and attitudes to facilitate environmentally sustainable decision-making at work and in life (UNFCCC). To tackle the lack of clarity as to where these skills sit within career paths for young people, many colleges are making real efforts to upskill not only students, but their staff too.

Example – Shipley College

Making it their mission in 2022/23 to train all staff at Shipley College on sustainable development and the importance of the SDGs, their influence on Green Skills shows these capabilities play a significant role across all careers. Recognising that students cannot gain the Green Skills before tutors have the knowledge and understanding to teach these, Shipley College have gone above and beyond to provide teams with dedicated courses, for Leadership and Management Staff, Service Staff, and Academic Staff.



During sessions, people from different professional departments were encouraged to sit as one, to connect on challenges, share new ideas and foster collaboration. The courses had a variety of formats, including the two-day Carbon Literacy Training, which has led to tutors pledging to embed sustainability into their teaching. Their impact has been recognised by the Green Gown Awards this year- read the full story here.

Example – West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges (WYCC)

The consortium is working with partners across the region to collect and understand intelligence from employers about the current and future ‘green skills’ needs. This information is being used to support course development within colleges and training providers and, where appropriate make a case for funding.



WYCC is further helping to develop the region’s green training offer for businesses and the next generation of workers. This is being made possible through collaboration and building capacity. The work includes supporting teaching skills and knowledge and investing in the equipment needed to deliver technical and awareness training that contributes to reducing carbon. Their Green Skills Service website provides businesses with an unbiased hub to a search for live green courses (some with funding available), events, inspiration and resources to become more sustainable.

Example - City of Glasgow College
 
Students are upcycling, reusing and recycling materials in the HND Applied Arts course, mitigating unethical techniques and studying practical alternatives. Collaboration with their catering department has enabled material donations to the arts and craft facilities, reducing textile waste in student projects; this ethos and thoughtful approach to resourcing is not only achieving awards, but is also making an impact beyond the College and inspiring high schoolers to take on new creative methods. 
 

Stay tuned for more content on College’s Week 2023 on the EAUC blog and be sure to get engaged with the conversation across EAUC's Twitter and LinkedIn.

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