70% of young people surveyed for a report from Groundworks and ESS have never received any information on careers that could help fill green skills gap
In Planning for the future: Recruiting diverse talent into waste and resources management, 70% of 16-24 year olds surveyed have never received any careers advice on the skills required or roles available in the waste and resources management sector, while around half of the young people surveyed cited a lack of information as a career barrier, despite the UK government legislating a Net Zero emissions target in 2019 for 2050.
As a result, 84% of those questioned have not even considered a career in the sector with insufficient salary, benefits and job instability cited as the other main barriers to entry, according to the research from Groundwork and the Environmental Services and Solutions (ESS) Expo.
Among the younger generation (16–17-year-olds), 62% believed that the work is unappealing and ‘dirty’, while almost half (42%) stated that it was the lack of role models in the sector putting them off.
Almost half of Gen Z want employment with high environmental credentials
In spite of so many young people admitting to not considering a career in the sector, almost half (47%) reported that having a job that helps the UK reach carbon neutrality was important to them, with more of those in the older 18-24 age group considering it important (49%) than those aged 16 and 17 (28%).
This suggests that more work needs to be done for employers and those with influence to educate young people on the role they play in achieving net zero by fulfilling the green skills gap.
Garry Campbell, head of policy & communications at Groundwork UK, said: “If the UK is to meet its carbon targets, it will require a new and diverse workforce, yet, sadly, our report highlights the work that must be done to ensure young people, particularly those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, don’t miss out on rich and rewarding careers in the environmental sector.
“To achieve this, we need a mix of better careers guidance in schools, action to inspire young people about the opportunities on offer, and a concerted effort in the sector to create more accessible career pathways.”
A perceived and actual lack of diversity is also a considerable barrier for minority ethnic groups
Of the 150,000 people currently employed in the sector in the UK, 97% are white, compared with a national average of 47%, highlighting a clear need for the sector to actively adapt to ensure greater participation.
According to the report, 32% of black respondents and 29% of Chinese respondents stated that greater diversity in the waste and resources management sector would encourage them to enter. In addition, more entry-level jobs would also appeal to 69% of respondents from a mixed ethnic background.
“The waste and resources management sector offers a diverse array of career pathways, and this is only expected to increase as roles continue to emerge and evolve,” said Rob Mowat, managing director of ESS Expo. “However, it is essential that as a group, we come together to boost the visibility of the sector as central to the UK’s climate mission.
“As an industry, we need to seek out ways of better communicating the opportunities, roles, and benefits of working in the sector in a way that truly resonates with the younger generation. We also need to pair this with tackling the perceived barriers to entry for maximum success.”
