The Green Careers Hub: a new resource for anyone looking for a greener future

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By Rebecca Turner, Careers Pathway Manager, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)

2 people on a roof installing solar panels — Image by Maria Godfrida from Pixabay

Green jobs and skills are critical in a net zero, nature-positive, sustainable economy. The Green Careers Hub, developed by IEMA (the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) includes video case studies, careers advice, and information on a wide range of jobs and sectors that are needed in the green transition and a more sustainable future.

The concept of all jobs greener

The Office for National Statistics defines a green job as: “Employment in an activity that contributes to protecting or restoring the environment, including those that mitigate or adapt to climate change.” However, as well as jobs being created in the environment sector, all organisations will need to be part of the green transition if we're to successfully achieve our long-term climate and nature goals.

IEMA’s vision is therefore simple: we want a world in which all jobs are greener. From marketing managers to electricians, lawyers to sustainability consultants, to reach our future green economy, everybody must play a part.

Whether you are at the start of your career journey, have been working for several years, or are considering a change in role or industry, we developed the Green Careers Hub for you, as a one-stop shop for information on green skills and jobs.

We aim to inspire individuals to be greener in their day-to-day role, learn more about how they can achieve this, and make a real impact.

A resource in demand

A person with a tool digging in a garden — Image by Chris Gray from Pixabay

Over the last few years, we have had regular feedback from IEMA members about a lack of information and awareness on green jobs; what are they, how can you get into them, and why are they important?

We know there is a need for more people to engage in greener skills. In a report from 2022, IEMA and Deloitte noted the following four trends:

Expansion of skills and scope in existing specialist sustainability roles
Increased need for green skills in non-specialist roles
Transition of workforces from unsustainable sectors to new roles
Demand for green skills in new green sectors and organisations

Furthermore, LinkedIn statistics from a 2023 report highlighted Sustainability Manager as one of the fastest growing job titles in the UK.

We need to motivate and educate society as a whole. According to a paper from 2019, 80% of the 2030 workforce were already in employment. So, as well as inspiring future generations and ensuring that individuals are entering the workforce with the relevant skills, we need to upskill and train individuals that are already working. The main aim of the Hub is to be the go-to resource for green careers, services and jobs.

Key sectors and core skills

Although there are a few sectors that you might automatically think of when it comes to green, such as energy or construction, in fact, green jobs cut across all sectors and all types of organisations. The Green Careers Hub aims to highlight this through our sector pages, which we will continue to build upon.

Our definition of green skills is: “An umbrella term for the knowledge, behaviours, capabilities and technical skills required to tackle the environmental challenges we face and to unlock new opportunities for growth.” Green skills therefore encompasses both technical and transferable skills, which can be applied by everyone.

a person in an orange safety helmet cutting in to a tree with a chainsaw — Image by hagenstaadt from Pixabay

There are some core skills gaps in the UK which we need to fill if we are to meet our net zero target and biodiversity goals. Some example skills in the nature-based sector that are in demand in the UK include:

Soil husbandry
Urban farming
Tree & biomass management
Conservation
Biodiversity expertise/biodiversity net gain
Woodland & peatland planning
Habitat restoration
Forestry remote sensing
Forest carbon modelling
Forest climate adaptation
Agroforestry & silviculture
Ecology
Environmental/ecological planning/management
Town/country planning
Water/flood risk management
Drought management
Green space management
Ocean management
Water management cycle
Understanding & responding to extreme weather events

Upskilling is a vital part of our green journey; from courses such as heat pump installation or vocational qualifications in sustainable construction, to degree level study in ecology or an apprenticeship in sustainable resource management, more and more options are being introduced all the time. Or maybe you just want to understand a bit more about sustainability? The Green Careers Hub highlights numerous upskilling and learning routes available.

What’s next for the Green Careers Hub?

This is still the start of the journey. More sector pages, job profiles and case studies will be added, and we have plenty more development work in the pipeline over the next year. We are continuing to work and expand our partnerships for the Hub, so if you’d like to provide a job profile for a role that you think is important to highlight, you can get in touch using the form on our website.

Browse the Green Careers Hub today

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IEMA is the professional body for more than 20,000 members working in environment and sustainability. We provide resources and tools, research and knowledge-sharing along with high-quality formal training and qualifications to meet the real world needs of professionals. We believe that together we’re positively changing attitudes to sustainability as a progressive force for good.