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Bright Green

On Wednesday 30th June at the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus in Tremough, Falmouth, over 120 young people from Cornish schools took part in an exciting day of hands-on activities aimed at inspiring and informing year 10 students on the growing number of ‘green’ career opportunities that exist locally.

Called ‘Bright Green’  activities on offer included intelligent control systems, looking at live data feeds from wind farms, finding out how electricity is made using renewable energy technologies, exploring renewable energy with post-graduates in Exeter University’s renewable energy lab and the opportunity to talk to a wide range of employers.  Pupils explored traditional currach boat-building, natural paints, electric cars, sustainable energy, and charcoal production.

“The aim of the event is to inspire young people to make the connection between what they are learning at school to the jobs that will exist in the future as part of a low-carbon economy” said Rachel Delourme from Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership.

Jointly organised by Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership,  the Environmental Skills Network, and Exeter University, the event was supported by the Key Sectors Project (ESF and SFA co financed) and involved partners from industry, further and higher education.  It explained pathways, both academic and vocational, into several sectors including: renewable energy technologies and green construction,‘green collar’ jobs in consultancy, environmental planning, law, ecology, conservation and finance.

During the visit school pupils took part in three hands on workshops and visited an information ‘fair’.   Camborne, Helston, Penrice, Budehaven and Hayle schools have worked with employers including Naturepaint, the Eden Project, Cornwall Light and Power, Pure Energy, ACMA Lairdking, Rory McPhee Designs, Cornwall College ‘Greenpower’, Community Energy Plus, the Sustainable Trust and  Post Graduates from Exeter University.

“Green Careers are set to grow and prosper, with an explosion of demand expected in the future – from renewable energy technologies to ‘green collar’ jobs” said Kerrina Peschkes from the Environmental Skills Network  “This event offered young people the opportunity to talk directly to our network members and other organisations and explore sustainability and the exciting career opportunities first hand.”