Build the Future: Why Apprentices Want Sustainable Employers

by James P. Outreach & PR Executive

Jobseekers will look for many attributes in a company when deciding to apply for a role. A strong environmental ethos is quickly becoming one core value that employees seek the most. Sustainability and social responsibility are tied closely with the younger generation of workers. Some reports indicate a sharp alignment with a business’ sustainable strategy and its recruitment.

Meanwhile, the emphasis of apprenticeships as a viable alternative to university reinvigorates the competitive nature of employment among businesses. Companies vying for the best talent among young people are looking towards their environmental culture to persuade potential apprentices to join their teams.

Apprentices who are interested in the environment represent an ideal talent pool. They have strong ideals, are driven to make improvements, and show dedication to a cause. The Gen Z and the millennial mindset is focused on sustainability. This should mean more to companies looking to employ their next apprentices.

Here, we look at why businesses must adapt their recruitment processes and embrace sustainability to reach the best talent.

Millennial mindset

One study by Totaljobs found that 26% of UK workers would be willing to take a pay cut for a business that is environmentally responsible.

A further 28% of people said they would consider leaving their current job for a role in a more environmentally friendly company. Within the age range of 23-28, this rises to 50%.

The millennial demographic is a useful indicator to show the changing attitudes of young people. By 2025, millennials will account for approximately 75% of the overall workforce. This generation would take a salary cut — up to £8,100 per annum — for a business that demonstrated environmental care.

Businesses should cater to this generation of workers, who will consider this value an important attribute of a company. Businesses should look towards the 742,400 apprentices who are shaping the current workplace.

Many business leaders, including the Head of Sustainability at IKEA, Joanna Yarrow, suggest that young people are excited by the prospect of working for companies that play a positive role in society. This is supported by a PwC report that discovered 65% of people in China, Germany, India, the UK, and the US want to work for a company with a strong social conscience.

Think outside the box and focus on the globe

Adapting your business to engage with apprenticeships and sustainability are simple ways to revolutionise your corporate strategy. Go beyond the simplistic development of environmental and social policies. Making it the foundation of your business will give you a better chance of employing the best talent. Gudrun Cartwright, Environmental Director at BITC, comments: “For those that get ahead of the curve, the opportunities are immense.”

The implementation of corporate sustainability has a competitive advantage. Not only does it appeal to customers, but young talent pools will be driven by your choices and seek employment at your organisation. Utilising apprentices means that you can curate this culture of social responsibility while advancing the key skills within your industry.

These strategies show clear popularity and potential for growth. 30% of employees say they would work harder in an environment which offers such sustainability benefits. This reflects the old working cliché: you get out what you put in.

A cultured, well-taught, happy workforce leads to a high standard of work. Ultimately, this leads to improved customer satisfaction.

Promoting the best of your business

To put this change into effect, reaching out to apprentices and reflecting their values is essential. In fact, PwC’s study found that 36% of HR departments worldwide are “actually amending their recruitment strategies to focus on their business’ social and environmental stance.”

Appealing to apprentices, businesses should consider how they promote their business through recruitment. Companies may wish to emphasise their social conscience through apprenticeship job descriptions. Here are some strong examples:

1) As a business, we place a great importance on our social and environmental sustainability. In your role, you would be expected to replicate this every day.

2) Here at our business, we set out to act in an exemplary fashion. Whether this is regarding social conduct or the recycling of single use plastics, as an employee you must uphold these policies.

3) It is the cornerstone of our foundations to act responsibly in terms of sustainability. You, as an employee, are expected to display this in all aspects of your work.

Lynn Cahillane, Head of Marketing at Totaljobs, said: “With a widely reported skills shortage, employers have the opportunity to showcase a clear commitment to reducing carbon emissions and help tackle the climate crisis. A step which could make the difference in attracting the UK’s most sought-after workers.”

Apprentices will fill the void of this skills shortage, so appealing to this generation’s enthusiasm for social and environmental change is essential for creating the most productive workforce in the future.

Sources

https://www.totaljobs.com/media-centre/a-quarter-of-uk-workers-would-take-a-significant-pay-cut-to-work-in-a-planet-saving-job

https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/the-millennial-workplace-of-future-is-almost-here-these-3-things-are-about-to-change-big-time.html

https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2017/feb/15/job-seekers-target-companies-putting-sustainablity-into-practice

https://employeebenefits.co.uk/26-pay-cut-environmentally-friendly/

https://pwc.blogs.com/files/future-of-work-report-1.pdfHowever, landing a job straight out of university is already a daunting task. Securing a sustainable role may be even more difficult. But the days of signing our name on any old job contract may be behind us. Today, graduates are demanding jobs which reflect the ethical progress of the 21^st century.

An increasing number of students are choosing university degrees based on sustainability and environmental welfare. But what will the job situation look like in 2021 and beyond? Here, we explore how current attitudes towards the environment can create new job opportunities for graduates in this field. We also discuss the earning potential of these sustainable roles.

The sustainable jobs available now

Sustainable jobs are not only a trend for the future workplace. In fact, there are many sustainable roles available now. Currently, job website Indeed has 701 jobs which mention sustainability. 298 of these roles are full-time, while part-time roles are also available. Not only that, but 186 of these jobs are permanent, leaving plenty of opportunities open for graduates to fill.

You may be asking: “What do these sustainable roles look like?”

Depending on the career path you have your mind set on, finding the ideal job to match with this is no easy decision to make. Luckily, there are many different job roles for you to choose between.

Sustainable consultancy is one potential career a graduate could undertake. These consultants are responsible for devising plans and strategies for companies to improve how sustainable and environmentally efficient they are. They have ownership over their business’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments, including their hazardous waste management.

A climate change analyst may have a further impact on the environment. At a glance, their main job role involves researching and analysing current developments to help tackle climate change. The ultimate goal of this job is to suggest policies and practices that should be legislated to help prevent climate change, and create campaigns to promote these ideas to wider society.

It is also the responsibility of environmental specialists to protect the climate. Their main job role is to research the different types of pollutants or hazards that are having a negative impact on our planet and develop strategies to help eliminate them.

Other careers may have a bigger impact on the environment than we would suspect. A career in graphic design, for example. This involves designing elements such as packaging, promotional materials, displays, or logos. Although not immediately seeming like a sustainable job, graphic designers play a central role in creating innovative business materials and techniques that are environmentally friendly and sustainable to maintain without harming the environment.

Businesses must place a greater emphasis on their environmental protection strategies. Embedding this value within job roles is fundamental to their success in the future. With this being said, the need for sustainable job roles to be fulfilled is becoming more important.

Earn while you learn…more

Even after university, apprenticeships are a valuable way to achieve additional qualifications and gain access to jobs within businesses. The experience is unparalleled. Although sustainability isn’t a common industry to look for an apprenticeship in, they are becoming increasingly popular.

The first degree-level apprenticeship in the environmental sector was only launched in 2019. This was the Level 6 Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship. This apprenticeship aims to help broaden the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of those wanting a career in the environmental sector by teaching apprentices the environmental principles and techniques to different sustainable processes and all aspects which this entails.

There are more apprenticeships schemes available, varying on your interest and qualification level. This includes construction management and sustainability, trainee environmental practitioner degrees, and health, safety and sustainability apprentice programmes. Whichever career path you choose, perhaps an apprenticeship is the best way to get your foot in the door of the sustainable jobs sector.

Sustainable pays

If you’re seeking a sustainable career, protecting the environment through your everyday actions is essential. However, making sure that you’re earning a big enough salary to live on is also a priority. We’ve scoured Indeed and discovered the average salary of those working within this industry as a sustainability consultant is £41,144. That’s more than enough to comfortably set up a life with!

Pay is also good for graduates starting out in a sustainable career. Sustainable consultancy produces starting salaries of around £25,000. Senior consultants may earn £60,000 per year. As for climate change analysts, the average salary in the UK is £36,000 and can increase up to £60,000.

There’s never been a better time to start your career in sustainability. For graduates wanting to turn their passion for the environment into a full-time career, there are many jobs out there to meet your needs.