Reflecting on National Careers Week: Embracing Green Careers and Sustainability

Our students engaged in various discussions, projects and explorations that not only broadened their understanding of career opportunities but also emphasised the significance of sustainable practices in different fields.

Here’s some of the ways our students stepped up to the challenge of envisioning a greener future:

Students delved into the creative industries, exploring the diverse job opportunities in art, craft and design.

They discovered the significant contribution of these industries to the UK economy and brainstormed ways to integrate sustainability into their creative practices. Ideas like eco-art, environmental-themed works and eco-design principles were considered.

Bespoke student Blue then created a circle map after a group discussion to visualise the career possibilities.

Homefield’s Sustainability Group delivered a Teams talk focused on the College’s sustainability initiatives to students.

In this talk, students expressed a desire to improve their recycling efforts, especially for soft plastics and food waste. They also advocated for reducing travel through college vehicles, suggesting walking or using public transport as greener alternatives.

Pathway 3 student Emma took these discussions to heart in her Sew Unique lesson, creating a hands-on recycling project that honed her skills in following multi-step instructions and teamwork.

Alumni Janvee came to share her journey after college, moving onto mainstream further education and now employed as a teaching assistant apprentice in sport. She highlighted her environmentally friendly choice of using public transport to commute to work instead of a car.

Pathway 2 and 3 catering students visited the British Pie Awards in Melton Mowbray. They engaged in discussions about the sustainability challenges of transporting pies across the country, touching on food chain emissions and waste. This experience sparked ideas about how Homefield could participate sustainably in the future.

Students explored sustainability within everyday settings, such as hair and beauty salons. They learnt about recycling, reusing hair waste and conserving product usage. Bespoke student Skye, initially unsure about sustainability, contributed insightful ideas on eco-friendly practices.

Meanwhile, Pathway 1 student Sohail took a hands-on approach by visiting a garden centre to buy soil, learning to grow his own fruits and vegetables, promoting self-sufficiency and sustainability.

Throughout the week, students engaged in activities that broadened their understanding of sustainability and green careers.

From identifying recyclable materials with staff support to completing career matching tasks in horticulture and animal care, they gained valuable insights into environmentally friendly practices and job opportunities.

Bespoke student Naithas even created a PowerPoint presentation on how to help the environment and explored potential careers aimed at protecting the planet.

National Careers Week was a resounding success, with students actively engaging in discussions and projects that highlighted the importance of green careers and sustainability.

These activities not only enriched their understanding of various career paths but also instilled a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

As we move forward, let’s continue to embrace sustainable practices in all aspects of our lives and careers, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.