As part of the national Green Careers Week, staff from Milton Keynes College ran a project titled Green Skills Industry Interviews. The College invited local industry experts for a short interview with our students to find out more about their sustainability challenges and actions.

Supported by the Department of Education, STEM Learning and the National Careers Service, Green Careers Week took place from 3^rd until 8^th November this year. Designed to help teachers, young people, parents and carers understand new technologies and careers, the Green Careers Week saw the launch of a series of events and resources aimed at highlighting careers pathways in the sustainability, ecological and green spaces.

The industry interviews by staff and students from the College provided an opportunity for students across all curriculum areas to hear from local businesses about their sustainability challenges and respective actions through these bite-sized videos.

Student interviewers asked questions aimed at understanding what sustainability means within the industry, what the companies’ sustainability challenges are and what actions they are taking to address them. Discussed in a conversational format, this allowed the students to consider their own routes to a potential role within the interviewee’s company or a similar company in the same industry, and what skills and qualifications they would need to be successful in these roles.

The 12 industry experts involved in the project represented Santander, Aston Martin Aramco, Sustainability Support for Further Education (SS4FE), SUEZ, Bridgman & Bridgman LLP, Leica Geosystems, NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, HK Hair & Wellness, Scania, Aden Contracting Ltd and MK Dons.

One student commented on their experience watching the videos: “As a Level 3 Sports Science student, I watched the MK Dons Green Careers Week video. I found it very informative as it gave us ideas about how we can be more sustainable in our industry. It told us about the importance of doing lots of small things – as well as the big things – and about working closely with sports audiences to make positive change.”

Lauren, another Level 3 Sports Science student who watched the MK Dons video, added: “I learned about the larger ins and outs of the industry that are important to consider when it comes to sustainability, such as catering, supporter travel and electricity use.”

Lauren Gallyot, Sustainability Lead at MK College Group, said: “It’s been pleasure to work with so many employers on this project for Green Careers Week. Green skills are gaining more and more importance as we collectively navigate growing environmental challenges. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had some fascinating and insightful conversations from across different industries in Milton Keynes, all about what sustainability means to them and the skills needed to contribute to this growing space.

“Thank you to everyone who gifted their time to support the video series. We’ve already had some brilliant feedback from our students who are now keen to explore green skills and careers further!”

Watch the Industry Interviews here.

To learn more about Sustainability at MK College Group, read more here.