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Environmental pioneers launch green skills programme
One of Bristol’s leading environmental campaigning organisations has joined forces with a revolutionary new education service to launch a green skills programme for young people.
GENeration ReuZe seeks to overcome the environment sector’s diversity and skills gap by linking people aged 18-25 from marginalised backgrounds with paid placements in green jobs.
The programme has been conceived by City to Sea, the charity at the forefront of the drive to eliminate plastic pollution in the UK, in partnership with the Youth Environment Service (YES), a new organisation working to get young people into green jobs.
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It is designed to tackle issues with the environment sector which, along with farming, is the least diverse profession in the UK and inaccessible to many given a lack of entry-level jobs.
Jess Clynewood of YES and Jane Martin of City to Sea are asking people to donate to their Big Give campaign to support the initiative which will enable young people to gain vital experience in green jobs and help diversify the environment sector – photo: City to Sea
Generation ReuZe will initially offer two full time 12-month living wage placements at City to Sea, enabling those selected to gain on-the-ground experience of the sector.
The programme is fundraising with the support of the Big Give’s Green Match Fund which will double all donations to help them reach their £20,000 target.
“A climate and environmental emergency is all our young people know,” said Jane Martin, the charity’s CEP. “They are paying the high costs for previous generations’ throw-away culture and plastic waste.
“Generation ReuZe will give 18–25 year-olds a say in how the future circular economy should work and a seat at the table with government leaders and legislators.
“We’re asking Bristol’s businesses and communities to support our campaign providing fairly paid opportunities for young people in the region to forge careers in the environmental sector.”
The programme precedes the YES roll-out of 40 paid green jobs placements for young people in Bristol and across the region, launching in autumn 2025, in the wake of Teach the Future reporting 70 per cent of teachers do not feel equipped to inform pupils about the climate and environmental crises.
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YES is on the hunt for green businesses interesting in hosting a young person.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with City to Sea to create these two amazing placements. YES aims to offer life-changing experiences for young people, and I have no doubt that working with City to Sea to tackle plastic pollution and clear up our waterways will be a fantastic first step into a green career,” said Jess Clynewood, co-director of YES.
“YES will be with them every step of the way, and they’ll have access to a dedicated career coach to guide their growth, as well as being part of a network of peers, all finding their feet in the sector at the same time.
“Please support this crowdfunder to make sure we can offer young people in Bristol these amazing opportunities. And if you’re a local organisation that would like to offer a similar opportunity for a local young person, then please get in touch!”
The campaign launches on Earth Day and runs April 22-29. Find all details and donate via the Big Give here.
Main image: Anna Barclay
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