Green Skills Careers Fair at EGA
What could a green career look like for future generations?
Love Design Studio and Shade the UK, in partnership with Oktra, hosted a Green Skills Careers Fair at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (EGA) school in Islington. The purpose of the event was simple: expose future generations to a myriad of career options and emphasise that sustainability isn’t confined to one specific path or industry.
What did the fair entail and what were the key outcomes?
The aim of the event was to provide young people in Islington with the opportunity to expand their potential career choices by exploring options within the sustainability world. We wanted them to hear stories from people working within the industry on how they got here.
The fair brought together a rich mix of exhibitors from varying industries, ranging from engineering and architecture, to finance and environmental governance, which was key in highlighting to the students that a) sustainability as a career choice IS a viable option and b) a career within sustainability can look very different for different people, and that you should not feel pressured to pursue highly technical pathways to do so.
Each exhibitor closely engaged with every student regarding their work and hopefully eased some anxieties among the students regarding their future and enabled them to consider a green skills career for the future.
How did the fair promote sustainable pathways?
Given the diversity of exhibitors and industries present at the event, the fair managed to address all the different facets that a career in sustainability and climate change has to offer.
For example, some exhibitors focused solely on campaigning and activism, sharing with the students resources regarding climate change and its associated impacts on vulnerable communities. Other exhibitors focused on climate solutions, such as energy assessors making buildings more efficient, or architects discussing sustainable construction materials used to reduce waste, allowing students to see how different problems (or the same problem) can be solved in different ways.
Were there any notable speakers, exhibitors, or workshops that left a lasting impression?
Two Islington councillors, Praful Nargund and Rowena Champion, were very keen in promoting green skills within their local areas. The exhibitors did a fantastic job in providing something interactive for the students to engage with, which was the key in making a lasting impression amongst the students.
Did attendees express any particular areas of interest?
Many students were predominantly interested in the more ‘traditional’ careers, such as lawyers, doctors, and bankers. After the students engaged in conversions during the fair, there was a notable shift in their perspective as they discovered new career pathways they never knew had existed. Some students already had an interest in sustainability, so the fair provided them with the opportunity to explore and ask questions about future opportunities.
Overall, the Green Skills Careers Fair allowed students to learn about non-typical career options and engage with industry professionals within a rapidly growing sector. Green skills are the future!
Interested in holding a Green Skills Careers fair in your secondary school? Get in touch with us at mail@lovedesignstudio.co.uk
