Less than half (46%) of young people are familiar with jobs that would exist in the green economy, according to new research from the Prince’s Trust.
The ‘Generation Green Jobs’ report, which is based on the polling of 2,054 people aged 16-25 and a serious of focus groups held by Public First, also found that only 27% of young people had heard the term ‘green jobs’.
Strikingly, less than 31% of all young people have heard of the term net zero at all.
Most young people also had not heard of the term ‘green jobs’ during their education, with this figure much higher for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
In addition, the least popular jobs were those most in need, heat pump installer (7%) and retrofit coordinator (9%).
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There was also a lack of awareness around vocational routes, with green jobs seen as being for those with academic backgrounds – just 5% of young people were able to picture someone in a green job.
“This report provides a stark warning about how much needs to be done to educate young people about green jobs and offer structured pathways to employment,” said Prince’s Trust Head of Future Sectors Lindsey Wright.
“We look forward to strengthening our partnership with existing and new partners to deliver on this vision. Problematically, young people who could benefit from these opportunities do not see themselves as suitable.”
She added that the organisation is launching an education programme with modules to explain the green economy to young people in secondary schools across the UK.
“We are dedicated to aligning our programmes with the future economy, and supporting young people to access opportunities within the green sector will play a critical role in this.”