As Co-op continues to campaign for a faster, fairer transition to Net Zero, new funding is being shared to support young people pursue green careers, with a focus on those least likely to secure opportunities.

Ahead of the final report of the Milburn review this autumn – with solutions being sought for the rising number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) – Co-op and its charity Co-op Foundation are sharing £2.4m this week, towards the creation of new opportunities for young people.

Funding is being received by organisations that support routes into ‘green careers’ or professional roles that will help protect the environment, reduce carbon emissions or develop a more sustainable economy.

The Co-op Green Opportunities Fund was established after research earlier this year found that:

• 59% of young people who had heard the term ‘green job’ could not explain what they were;
• 46% of young people reported that they had not heard about green jobs during their education; and yet
• Co-op Foundation’s original Gen Z(ero) report revealed that most young people (72%) see the transition to Net Zero as an opportunity for their generation.

This year’s ‘Green Opportunities Report’ identifies significant barriers for young people in accessing green skills and careers, including social and financial challenges. It includes the key finding that the “complex green skills funding landscape [offers]piecemeal provision, overlaps and areas of unmet needs.”

The Green Opportunities Fund is financed by donations from the sale of Co-op’s compostable carrier bags in the UK, and further contributions from the Foundation.

Financial awards are being prioritised for those opportunities that will also drive social mobility and bring greater diversity to the industry, as they create new routes to work. It is expected to include roles for women, young people from global majority backgrounds, disabled young people and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Across the UK, funded partners will deliver programmes spanning energy efficiency and retrofit; electric vehicle mechanics; environmental education; agroecology (applying ecological principles to farming, to produce food sustainably) and sustainable forestry.

Projects range from Oasis Children’s Venture in London, converting petrol go karts to electric; to youth-led comics and digital storytelling from Comics Youth CIC in Merseyside.

Projects will combine practical training, mentoring, employer engagement and work experience, as well as green skills training, some of which will be available through Adra Tai Cyfyngedig’s Ty Gwyrddfai Decarbonisation Hub in Penygroes.  This will help young people build skills, confidence and clearer routes into education, training and employment.

Heather Thomas, Group Property and Sustainability Director at Co-op, said: 

“At Co-op, we believe every young person should have the opportunity to build a positive future, regardless of their background or the barriers they may face.

“Britain can’t build a greener economy if young people can’t see a way into it. Nearly one million young people in the UK aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training, according to the latest government data – and too many in our communities tell us they don’t know what green jobs are, let alone how to work towards one.

“That’s why we’re investing in practical partnerships, yielding opportunities that are accessible, visible and help young people build skills, gain experience and connect with employers. 

“We see the impact that climate change is having on the communities we serve, and the communities we source from – it’s vital that every community, every business and every government play their part in delivering a fair and just transition to a greener and cleaner future.”

Nick Crofts, CEO of the Co-op Foundation said:

“Making sure that young people from under-represented communities have fair access to opportunities that arise from the transition to Net Zero is a priority for us at Co-op Foundation. 

“We know from our research that young people care about climate action and want to learn more about jobs in sustainability and the green economy, which is why targeted funding such as this is so important.

“At a time when the jobs market is so difficult for young people, we’re proud to fund partners who are leading the way in supporting young people and developing a valuable talent pool for the future.”

Co-op and Co-op Foundation are partnering with The MCS Foundation to fund two organisations as part of this work. The MCS Foundation focuses on ensuring all UK homes can benefit from being carbon-free by driving the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies. Their mission is to transform the way our homes are heated, cooled and powered through reducing carbon and increasing electrification, energy efficiency and affordability. They are providing Touch of Love Outreach and Adra Tai Cyfyngedig with £25,000 towards their grants, respectively.

Co-op and Co-op Foundation continues to welcome interest from other contributors and those creating green opportunities for young people. Interested parties should visit www.coopfoundation.org.uk