For young people, we can explain the job market like an iceberg – what you can see above the water represents jobs you’ve heard of, perhaps teacher, nurse, lawyer, electrician.  Below the surface lies the many jobs that exist but you have not heard of, and when you are 13 or 14 years old, this is most jobs. At the very bottom of the iceberg is jobs that haven’t been invented yet. There are a wide range of ‘green jobs’ in the net zero economy that lie under the surface and are not on young people’s radar.

When I was choosing my GCSEs many years ago, I don’t think I had ever heard of a green job and couldn’t have predicted that I would one day have one! Currently, there are more than 100,000 jobs in the green economy in Northern Ireland alone and, as the green economy booms, Business in the Community is working to inspire young people to consider jobs in this sector.

Young people are entering a world and workforce shaped by climate change, and they deserve the skills to navigate it. Green skills are an essential part of any child’s education in the 21st century.

Why green skills matter now

Green skills are simply the knowledge and capabilities we all need to live well in a changing climate (Unicef, 2024). They’re not an “extra” or a separate strand of learning. Whether it’s science, geography, business studies, or even art and design, green skills can be woven into the curriculum in ways that feel relevant, practical, and connected to the real world. This was important to us when developing content for our Generation Green Schools work inspiration programme, funded by SSE Airtricity’s Generation Green Community Fund.

One teacher at St Louise’s Comprehensive College in Belfast gave us feedback that: “All students agreed that they had learnt lots of new information which had informed their learning further, not only in Technology & Design, but geography and Learning for Life and Work also”.

Nearly 160,000 green economy jobs are expected to be created in Northern Ireland over the next decade (Green Skills Action Plan, DfE, 2025). Yet a significant skills gap means many of these roles may go unfilled. In 2022 alone, more than 10,000 green sector vacancies remained vacant due to a lack of relevant qualifications and experience (Employer Skills Survey, 2022). This programme aims to inspire the next generation to consider a future career in the green economy.

Bringing Climate Learning to Life

Generation Green Schools is aimed at Year 10 and 11 students in Northern Ireland and through the programme we deliver lessons under four key themes: climate literacy, energy, circular economy and biodiversity. Each lesson includes a presentation, discussion, group work and activities to consolidate the new information and consider how it could lead to a job in the green economy, an economic system designed to promote sustainability, equity, and resilience while protecting the natural environment.

A teacher at participating Ashfield Boys School, Belfast, said:  “Generation Green Schools delivers very important subject matter, particularly as we prepare pupils for jobs within the green economy.”

Crucially, Generation Green Schools aims to be socially inclusive by ensuring that the benefits of the green transition (eg jobs, skills, and economic opportunities) are shared fairly across society. We strive to do this by targeting this programme at schools with higher percentages of free school meal entitlement (FSME).

Angeline Murphy, Brand Manager, SSE Airtricity: “The Generation Green Schools programme provides young people with the tools, the ideas and the inspiration to take action… it also helps to explore future opportunities, especially potential green career pathways.

“Students gain a real practical insight and a deeper understanding of how climate action actually happens in the workplace and in our communities”

Upon completion of the Generation Green Schools Programme, 78% of students either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement ‘I know what types of green jobs exist’.

 “I love the way that there are people who actually care about our environment and future. I loved knowing about how much we have been harming the environment and learning how to prevent this in small ways.” Year 10 student from Fort Hill Integrated College, Lisburn.

The role of business volunteers

A priority area in the Green Skills Action Plan for NI is a partnership approach. Generation Green Schools helps to foster relationships between schools and local businesses by welcoming people working in green jobs to join a school visit, to speak to young people about their career and what an average day looks like for them. For many young people this will be their first time hearing about jobs like Environmental Manager, Sustainability Executive, or Responsible Business Lead.

Consistently, teachers and students report that the guest speaker is a highlight of the programme, bringing theory into reality and providing an opportunity for students to ask questions and engage with local businesspeople.

“The pupils really enjoyed this programme and many commented on the value of the guest speaker.” Teacher, St Patricks High School, Keady.

Building a legacy

A big part of the Generation Green Schools programme is the legacy we are leaving through the Digital Hub, which is available to all schools who have taken part in the programme. It hosts additional content, toolkits and career profiles, an invaluable resource for learning what different roles look like and to read words of advice on how to pursue a green career.

“Sustainability is very broad – there are so many different ways to go. Find what you like, what you are passionate about. This could be biodiversity, it could be solar panels, it could be software development, social value, carbon- find what you like, and be a sponge, learn as much as you can.” Tui Bumblys, Responsible Business and Assurance Lead, Heron Manufacture.

The earlier we support children and young people to understand climate change and build the skills to respond to it, the more they can be part of the solution. When climate education and green skills are woven into everyday school life, we’re not just teaching facts, we’re nurturing a generation that feels confident, informed, and ready to take positive action for a more sustainable future.

Find out more about Generation Green Schools at www.bitcni.org.uk/green schools, or complete a career profile for pupils to access via our Digital Hub, here.