Events: Green Skills for Green Jobs: New Guidance for UK Higher Education
As the transition to a more sustainable economy accelerates, higher education institutions have a vital role to play in preparing graduates for the opportunities and challenges ahead. A new report, Green Skills for Green Jobs: Guidance for UK Higher Education, offers timely insights into how universities can embed sustainability more effectively within both the curriculum and the wider student experience.
The report is the outcome of a Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) funded Collaborative Enhancement Project led by Oxford Brookes University in partnership with Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK), Aston University, De Montfort University, the University of Exeter and Manchester Metropolitan University. Together, the project team explored how higher education can support students in developing the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.
In doing so, the project reflects a growing recognition that sustainability is no longer a specialist subject confined to a small number of disciplines. Employers increasingly expect graduates across all sectors to understand climate and sustainability challenges and to be able to respond to them in practical and innovative ways. Developing these capabilities aligns closely with the mission of PRME UK & Ireland, which champions responsible management education and the preparation of graduates who can create long-term value for business and society.
The report draws on a comprehensive review of existing research alongside evidence gathered through a series of workshops and fifteen case studies from institutions across the sector. These examples highlight a wide range of approaches to promoting green skills, showcasing initiatives from universities including King's College London, the University of Leicester, the Open University, the University of Southampton, the University of Westminster and the University of York, alongside contributions from several project partners.
Between November 2025 and April 2026, the project team facilitated seven workshops involving 125 participants drawn from across higher education and industry. The discussions brought together students, academic and professional staff, and employer representatives to explore how green skills can best be developed through both curricular and co-curricular activities. The findings demonstrate the importance of collaboration between universities and employers, while also underlining the crucial role students play in shaping meaningful and relevant sustainability education.
One of the report's key strengths is its focus on practical action. Through examples of successful initiatives already being delivered across the UK, it provides valuable guidance for institutions seeking to strengthen graduate employability, embed sustainability more consistently across programmes and respond to the rapidly changing needs of the labour market.
For business schools and higher education providers engaged with PRME UK & Ireland, the report offers an important resource. It reinforces the need to equip graduates not only with technical knowledge but also with the systems thinking, collaboration, leadership and problem-solving capabilities required to address complex environmental and social challenges. These are increasingly recognised as essential attributes for responsible leaders in all sectors and professions.
Upcoming Webinars
To share the project's findings and discuss the practical implications for higher education, two webinars will be held in November.
The first webinar, Insights from Project Partners and a Panel Discussion, will take place on Friday 13 November 2026 at 12.00 pm (UK time). Attendees will hear directly from project partners and take part in a discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing higher education as it seeks to develop the green workforce of the future. https://brookes.zoom.us/meeting/register/lHymyqk1QzWyHPJPLjv3pQ#/registration
The second webinar, Authors Present and Take Questions on the Case Studies Featured in the Report, will take place on Monday 23 November 2026 at 1.00 pm (UK time). This session will provide a deeper dive into many of the fifteen case studies highlighted in the report, offering practical examples and lessons that institutions can adapt within their own contexts. https://brookes.zoom.us/meeting/register/0QbvHGV7S6un2IA-5C6M9w#/registration
We encourage members of the PRME UK & Ireland community to explore the report and join the webinar series. As demand for green skills continues to grow, initiatives such as this provide valuable guidance on how higher education can support the development of graduates who are equipped to lead positive change and contribute to a more sustainable future.
