Theme
Buildings & energy
Start Date
Nov 2023
End Date
Sept 2025
Goals
Resilient communities, Retrofit, Net-zero buildings, Green infrastructure
London South Bank University's Green Skills Hub, in partnership with Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark council, created a virtual work experience or green sectors showcase designed for residents aged 16 and above in Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark.
The Challenge
The main sectoral challenge is limited awareness surrounding net zero sectors and the potential career paths that could be explored. This resulted in barriers to residents considering these sectors as viable career options.
The LSBU Green Skills Hub was set up as part of the Mayor’s Skills Academies Programme, a project that aims to create good work for all Londoners as part of the London Recovery Programme.
Action Taken
The LSBU Green Skills Hub collaborated with the tri-borough councils and Springpod to create a virtual work experience programme designed for residents aged 16 and above in Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark. The program offers a hands-on journey into sustainable careers, where participants will tackle real-world challenges, learn from industry leaders, and develop skills that contribute to a greener future.
The programme involves:
- Immersive Learning - Dive deep into sustainability practices with guided tasks that simulate real industry challenges.
- Expert Mentorship - Collaborate with professionals from LSBU and the Green Skills Hub to gain insights into the latest green innovations.
- Career Growth - Build a strong foundation in sustainability that will empower your future career in the green economy.
- Inspiring Webinars - Listen to industry leaders in webinars and explore key topics such as renewable energy, green technologies, and sustainable business practices.
After an extensive overview of key concepts, including climate change, carbon emissions and net zero, the programme focuses on five key areas:
- Retrofitting and reducing energy demand in buildings
- Low carbon heat and energy
- Green new construction and a green construction industry li>
- Green infrastructure
- Building a green economy
Results
While the programme is still ongoing, from October 2023 to December 2024 the engagement has been great.
So far, 738 young people have completed the programme, with the amount of time engaging with the platform at around 6 hours per user.
Feedback the participants so far has shown 87% feel fairly or very confident about using their career for climate action. 90% of participants now have more of an understanding of the diversity and number of roles available within net zero careers.
have a better understanding of net zero careers
Call to action
Do you know a young person in Lambeth, Lewisham or Southwark interested in exploring net zero careers. Residents can still sign up until end of September 2025.
What did they enjoy the most about this programme?
“I enjoy learning at my own pace. The ability to stop and start at will is much appreciated. It is very informative and varied with much to think about."
"The breadth of topics covered. I feel like so much was taught from the planning and design, to refurbishing houses and green infrastructure”
“Learning about retrofitting projects, as well as the activities provided which I found though-provoking, and not overly challenging.”
