Our Roadmap to 2030Sustainability West Midlands (SWM) and Birmingham City University (BCU) are launching a new one-year membership pilot designed to help students understand the growing range of careers available in sustainability, while developing practical skills and connections with employers across the West Midlands.
The SWM x BCU Student Membership will launch in November and will be open to students across all disciplines.
The programme has been developed in response to a growing need for green skills across the region, alongside the challenge of encouraging more young people to recognise sustainability as a career opportunity.
Importantly, students will not need to be studying sustainability or an environmental subject to take part.
Whether studying engineering, fashion, art and design, business, computing, English or another discipline, students will be encouraged to explore how sustainability is changing the world of work within their chosen profession.
The programme will include practical activities, employer engagement, networking and opportunities to develop sustainability knowledge and skills. It will also explore opportunities for students to gain recognition for their participation through the BCU Award platform and digital credentials.
The initiative has been designed to complement BCU’s STEAM strategy, which brings together a range of disciplines, students, businesses, researchers and real-world projects. By equipping graduates with the creativity, the critical judgement, the technical capability and the confidence needed, they can thrive in an ever-changing world and make it better.
Connecting students with the jobs of the future
The launch comes at a time when the Government is placing renewed emphasis on creating clearer routes for young people into employment.
In recent months the Government has called for stronger links between education, skills, employers and the needs of regional economies. His recent announcements have included a focus on work placements, technical pathways and helping young people move into good jobs. (GOV.UK)
SWM and BCU believe that sustainability should be part of that conversation.
Anna Bright, CEO of Sustainability West Midlands, said:
“We often talk about the green skills gap, but there is another gap that we need to address: the gap between young people and their understanding of what a career in sustainability actually looks like”.
“Sustainability isn’t a career that belongs to one degree subject. It is increasingly part of every industry, from engineering and construction to fashion, finance, technology and the creative industries”.
“This programme is about opening that door earlier. We want students to meet businesses, understand the challenges organisations are facing and start to see where their own skills could make a difference”.
From student to sustainability professional
The pilot will provide students with a structured programme of activities throughout the academic year, including opportunities to engage with businesses, explore sustainability challenges and develop practical experience.
Students will also be encouraged to build their professional networks and learn more about placements, graduate opportunities and careers where sustainability is becoming increasingly important.
The programme will make use of BCU’s existing student infrastructure, including the BCU Award platform, which is used by thousands of students, alongside opportunities through STEAMhouse and the wider university community.
The pilot will also explore new approaches to recognising student participation, including digital badges that students can showcase on LinkedIn and progression through different levels of achievement.
Deborah Phelstead, Head of Sustainability at BCU said:
“BCU is committed to giving students opportunities to develop the skills, experience and professional networks they need to succeed beyond university.
As part of our Strategy 2030, we are Developing Talent for Tomorrow. This goes beyond the classroom, and we are equipping and empowering tomorrow’s workforce with a personalised education that gives our students the skills and connections to make a difference in the West Midlands, and beyond.
This will also be a chance for students to identify how they can support the green agenda through their careers, supporting the delivery and principles the University’s sustainability strategy.
By making it free we can remove barriers to skills development and networking, giving all our students a fair and inclusive opportunity to thrive in their careers.”
The one-year pilot will be evaluated throughout the academic year, with feedback from students, academics and employers used to shape the future of the programme.
