Bridging the green skills gap: why the UK needs young talent in waste and resource management
With the UK legally committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, there is growing concern that a lack of young people entering green professions could jeopardise this goal – particularly in critical support sectors like waste and resource management.
A new report, Planning for the Future: Recruiting Diverse Talent into Waste and Resource Management, commissioned by the Environmental Solutions & Services Expo and Groundwork UK, explores 16-24-year-olds' perceptions of careers in the environmental sector. The findings expose a significant green skills gap, with many young people unaware of the vital role this sector plays in delivering a sustainable built environment.
Key insights
- 84% have never considered a career in the waste and resource sector;
- 70% have had no career advice about the roles or skills required;
- 62% associate the work with negative stereotypes like being ‘dirty’ or unappealing;
- 50% said a lack of accessible information has held them back;
- 42% pointed to a lack of role models in the sector; yet
- 49% value careers that contribute to the UK’s carbon neutrality target.
These perceptions present a barrier, not only to young people accessing meaningful employment, but also to industries such as construction, which rely heavily on efficient waste and resource management to meet sustainability standards.
Garry Campbell, Head of Policy & Communications at Groundwork UK, commented:
“To unlock the potential of young people—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—we need clearer career pathways, better guidance in schools, and a shift in how we present the sector. The opportunities are there, but they must be made visible and accessible.”
Encouraging progress: New to Nature
Groundwork UK’s New to Nature programme is actively tackling this issue by offering paid work placements within the environmental sector to young people from diverse backgrounds. Delivered in partnership with Youth Environmental Service, The King’s Trust, Disability Rights UK, and Mission Diverse, and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the initiative aims to create a more inclusive and future-ready environmental workforce.
As the construction and environmental sectors become increasingly intertwined through the circular economy, now is the time for employers, educators, and policymakers to work together to change perceptions and open doors.
Learn more about New to Nature
This article was originally published in Building Engineer, the official publication for the Chartered Association of Building Engineers.
Image credit | iStock