North West leaders showcase climate change careers to next generation

North West business leaders will join forces in Manchester on November 11 to help bridge the skills gap that many experts fear will hold back the UK’s progress towards lowering carbon emissions and combating climate change.

Businesses and young people will come together to explore the future opportunities that these emerging ‘green jobs’ will bring.

The event comes in response to the Government’s ambition to create two million green jobs in the UK by 2030 in its Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.

Climate Change Careers is powered by social enterprise, Agent Academy, in partnership with North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT), Net Zero NW and Bruntwood.

Hosted by young people, the event will inspire attendees to progress towards a future career that will make a difference to the planet. North West employers, including Bruntwood, Peel Ports and CGI will use the event to attract new talent into emerging, in-demand job roles.

The hybrid event will be hosted at No.1 Circle Square in Manchester’s innovation district, as well as being live streamed on Thursday 11th November at 1:30pm, to coincide with the UN’s COP26 day for Cities, Regions and Built Environment.

Zoe Wallace, Director of Agent Academy, said:

“Encouraging and supporting future talent to progress into meaningful careers is at the heart of our work at Agent Academy. This event will be hosted by young people who are passionate about leading this movement for change.

“We will hear from a variety of special guest speakers, who will share insight into the progress being made towards a greener future. Positive, long-lasting change only ever happens when people are invited to play their part. That’s exactly what we want this event to do.”

Ged Barlow, Chief Executive at Net Zero North West, said:

“A major part of resolving the employment skills gap in clean growth jobs begins with educating and inspiring young talent and already young people are highly engaged in making a difference. After all, the climate crisis will impact on future generations the most.

“However, a recently published skills report, sponsored by Net Zero North West, found that in order for the road to reducing negative carbon emissions to be successful, immediate action is required to address communication around the role of Net Zero skills. Climate Change Careers will do just that by bringing the region’s brightest talent together to highlight the conversation around Net Zero careers.”

Katie Bray, Deputy Chief Executive at NWBLT, said:

“The North West currently stands as a top region for potential to deliver a low carbon industrial cluster by 2030. Supporting the Climate Change Careers event coincides with the NWBLT’s efforts to partner with like-minded businesses, who work towards clean growth and deliver investment into the community.

“We are committed to building a positive future for the North West and developing future talent is absolutely vital for this to happen.”

Bev Taylor, Director of Energy and Environmental at Bruntwood, said:

“We’re committed to reaching our goal of becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2030, but we know that there is a gap between the skills needed to be able to achieve this and those that are available to us today. That’s why we’re proud to be supporting the Climate Change Careers event and showcasing the amazing and impactful opportunities that are available through green careers.

“Young people will sadly be the most affected by the climate crisis, but we also believe these people have the talent, passion and drive to create a greener, brighter future.”

The Climate Change Careers event is open to all young people, educators and businesses in the North West. Registration for the event is free via Eventbrite.