Uncovering the next big thing in green careers in the resources and waste sector

Think about having clever minds figuring out how to reuse materials, design products that last longer, and create systems that minimise waste. We need engineers who can build super-efficient recycling plants, data analysts who can track our progress, and yes, even behavioural scientists who can nudge us all towards more sustainable choices. You get the picture…

All this and more were the topics discussed at our recent webinar titled “Green Skills: The growing demand for sustainable careers in the resources and waste sector”. Chaired by Dr. Adam Read, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK’s Chief External Affairs and Sustainability Officer, the webinar also featured the expertise of Martin Baxter (Deputy CEO, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment), Phil Beach (Chief Executive, Energy & Utility Skills) and Oliver Leuthart (Skills Policy Advisor, Chartered Institution of Wastes Management). The panel discussed the potential of and opportunities in green skills careers in the sector, as well as the challenges that need to be hurdled.

Green skills conundrum

The UK is facing a significant skills gap in the transition to a green economy. While there are plenty of job opportunities, there is a mismatch between the skills being taught and those required by the industry.

Certainly, the industry offers plenty of job opportunities across the UK, and people are well-trained for them. However, there is a concern about the uneven distribution of skilled workers across the country, with some areas being overstaffed while others lack qualified individuals. Think of a jigsaw puzzle with lots of gaps due to missing pieces and pieces that don’t fit.

The panel expressed concern that many organisations are struggling to fill specific roles and this issue is expected to worsen in the coming years, with over 200,000 jobs needed across the resource and waste sector by 2040.

The sector also faces a shortage of qualified trainers. While apprenticeships and internships are viewed as valuable tools, there is a need for more flexibility and diverse experiences in these areas. To make matters worse, the skills gap also intersects with a gender gap in certain roles.

Embracing digital technologies like AI and big data is crucial, but there is also a need to tackle the issue of finding and keeping the right people, especially with an ageing workforce. There’s a lot of competition for talent between different industries, and the future is uncertain – energy prices, global politics and climate change are all factors that could shake things up.

Attracting talent to the industry also poses a challenge due to its perceived unattractiveness. Many also don’t understand the long-term career opportunities it offers.

‘Greenlighting’ the future

Despite the challenges, there’s a buzz in the air. Although many organisations haven’t prioritised green skills development, it’s not all doom and gloom. There is hope for bipartisan collaboration on this issue.

First up, it’s important to make green careers sound exciting. That means showing young people (and those looking for a career change) that these jobs are more than just bin collections. It means being given fantastic opportunities to be part of the solution to some of the biggest challenges we face. Encourage people to consider switching careers or learning new skills and show them this is a rewarding career path. IEMA’s Green Careers Hub, for instance, is a great place to start, providing resources and guidance to help everyone get involved.

Next, we need to upskill and reskill our current workforce, not just training new ones. Collaboration is important, as seen in SUEZ recycling and recovery UK’s partnerships with influential organisations and universities aimed at creating tailored training programmes focusing on what the industry needs. Essentially, the government, industry experts and training providers need to team up to create courses that are relevant and practical, not to mention fun.

Clear standards and consistent qualification across the UK are crucial. Attracting and retaining talent requires long-term policies that encourage investment in skills development. The government has a vital role to play in creating a supportive policy environment and a clear skills framework. This includes initiatives like Green Jobs Delivery Group and promoting green careers to young people.

In one of the survey questions asked during the webinar, 39% of the audience said they need mentoring programmes to jumpstart their way to greener career paths, while 30% were interested in web-based information and guidance. The rest was spread across live support workshops, case studies and other ways to help them support their green transition plans.

Green careers ‘want’ you!

According to CIWM statistics, future new job roles will be diverse, ranging from collection and sorting to specialised positions like green chemists and behaviouralists. Overall, there will be approximately 20,000 roles available for collection, sorting, treatment and disposal, 80,000 for repair specialist positions, 30,000 green chemists, and 9,000 behaviouralists and communicators. Similar numbers are projected for policy, regulation, enforcement and design. Of course, this shift will be driven by policy changes, technological advancements, market forces and broader social changes.

Companies, many of which still lack comprehensive transition plans for developing green skills, need to start now if they want to fill in those gaps. What is telling, though, is the result of another webinar survey question. When asked how high on the priority list is their green skills transition plan, 43% admitted that it’s not that high of a priority, while 24% said it’s top priority for board and directors. Nineteen percent of the respondents haven’t given it much consideration and 14% said this matter is at the bottom of a long list of priorities.

A multi-faceted approach, involving policy support, industry collaboration and targeted skills development (including data analysis and soft skills), is essential to bridge the green skills gap and achieve our decarbonisation goals. It will not be easy but with everyone’s cooperation and commitment, it can be done.

If you missed the live webinar session, you can watch it on-demand here.