🌍 Why green careers matter
Sustainability is no longer optional. It’s essential.
Green Careers Week connects learners, employers and educators to explore the skills, pathways and innovation driving the UK’s transition to a sustainable economy.
The week aims to:
- Raise aspirations and promote diversity
- Challenge stereotypes about green careers
- Inspire young people and our local communities to take action for change
🌿 Green careers and sustainability at Activate Learning
At Activate Learning, sustainability is built into everything we do. Our green initiatives include:
- Specialist green careers programmes for young people
- Online sustainability training for businesses
- Sustainability Skills Bootcamps for adult learners
- Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points across our campuses
- Recycling improvements across all food and drink packaging
- Shortlisted for the Sustainable FE College of the Year at The Oxford Climate Awards
- Green Construction Advisory Panels launched in Berkshire and Surrey
- Sustainability Viva Engage community and staff committee
- Digital-first marketing to reduce print by 75%.
We’re working hard to ensure that every student, staff member and partner plays a part in creating a sustainable tomorrow.
Explore green opportunities across our colleges
🌱 Surrey
At Merrist Wood College and University Centre, sustainability isn’t just taught. It’s lived.
Our specialist land-based campus in Surrey is recognised nationally for its leadership in environmental education and green skills, with courses in Arboriculture, Countryside Management, Horticulture and Agriculture, among many others.
Now backed by a £21 million investment from the Department for Education, Merrist Wood is embarking on a major campus redevelopment to deliver brand-new, industry-leading learning environments. Due to be completed in Spring 2026, the project includes two new teaching blocks, a large specialist glasshouse and the refurbishment of existing buildings — all designed to support flexible digital-enabled delivery and future-facing land-based curriculum.
Through expert teaching, industry-standard facilities and strong employer partnerships, students at Merrist Wood gain the skills, confidence and experience to thrive in careers that protect and enhance our natural world. From managing woodlands and restoring habitats to driving innovation in sustainable food production, our learners are shaping the future of the UK’s green economy.
🌳 How is Arboriculture a green career?
Arboriculture, the care and management of trees, is a practical, high-impact green career that directly supports our planet’s health.
Arborists play a crucial role in tackling climate change and supporting biodiversity by maintaining healthy trees and sustainable urban forests. Their work helps:
- Capture carbon and improve air quality
- Prevent soil erosion and manage stormwater
- Support wildlife habitats and thriving ecosystems.
- They also help shape sustainable cities, working with planners to create cooling green spaces and plant climate-resilient species.
As part of the green economy, arboriculture combines science and technical skill. Today’s professionals increasingly use electric tools, biodegradable products and low-impact methods to care for our landscapes.
🌾 How is Agriculture a green career?
Agriculture connects food production with environmental stewardship. Students learn how to balance productivity with ecological care — from soil health and biodiversity to rare breed conservation.
At Merrist Wood, learners gain hands-on experience on our 400-acre working farm, developing skills in livestock husbandry, land management, and machinery operation. We’re proud to be the first educational organisation accredited by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), recognising our commitment to protecting native livestock and agricultural biodiversity.
Graduates go on to careers across the food and land-based sectors — supporting sustainable farming, conservation, and agritech innovation.
🌻 How is Horticulture a green career?
Horticulture combines science, creativity, and sustainability to shape greener environments and communities. It’s central to the green economy, from urban greening and food security to biodiversity and wellbeing.
At Merrist Wood, students learn in extensive nurseries, science labs, and across our 230-hectare estate — gaining both practical and technical expertise. With over 40 years’ specialist teaching experience, our tutors prepare learners for thriving careers in landscape design, plant science, and conservation.
We’re excited to open brand-new, state-of-the-art horticulture glasshouses in 2026 as part of our wider ‘New Build Project’, thanks to £21m of DfE investment — reinforcing our commitment to innovation and sustainable teaching environments.
🌿 How is Countryside Management a green career?
Countryside Management is all about protecting and restoring natural habitats while balancing human needs with nature conservation. Professionals in this field care for the UK’s landscapes — from woodlands and heathlands to wetlands and coastlines — helping them thrive for future generations.
At Merrist Wood, students gain hands-on experience through modules in ecology, estate skills, woodland management, and plant and soil science, working on real conservation projects.
With strong links with many partner organisations our students progress into roles supporting the UK’s Nature Recovery Network and climate goals.
Merrist Wood College leads the way in green education, preparing students for meaningful careers that sustain our planet and communities.
⚡Berkshire
Our Green Construction Advisory Panels are driving sustainable innovation in local industries, connecting employers with our learners to shape the green workforce of the future.
Bracknell Forest Council’s Climate Conference
On Tuesday 11 November, we are hosting Bracknell Forest Council’s Climate Conference at Bracknell and Wokingham College from 9am-2.45pm.
This event moves students from concerns to action, with stimulus sessions focused on local sustainability initiatives and knowledge. Students, then having identified their issues of concern, work with local businesses, charities and community organisations to think about impactful action.
Key activities include exploring local climate initiatives, developing an understanding that their voice and concerns matter and developing action plans for their schools. By the end of the day, students leave with clear, actionable plans and a pathway to develop sustainability competences through the Young Changemakers programme, should they choose.
🧑🔧 Oxfordshire
At The Leys College, sustainability is woven through every course. On our Electrical Installation programme, students explore the principles of environmental technology systems, while our Bicycle Maintenance course teaches how to build, repair and service bikes for work in this growing green sector.
At Banbury and Bicester College, our Motor Vehicle courses and apprenticeship include modules on sustainability in the automotive industry—covering recycling and reuse, as well as greener fuel alternatives such as biofuel, hydrogen, and hybrid/electric vehicles.
At City of Oxford College, A Level Geography explores climate change, energy and sustainable cities, opening doors to careers in areas like environmental management, hydrology, meteorology and sustainability consultancy.
Our Business Management and Administration T Level also examines organisational culture and the environmental and social impact of business.
💼 Skills Bootcamp for adult learners in Berkshire and Surrey
Our Sustainability and Carbon Management Skills Bootcamp helps adults in Berkshire and Surrey upskill for the green economy.
- Free, flexible courses (up to 16 weeks)
- Delivered as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee
- Fast-track to interviews with sustainable employers
🧠 Sustainability courses for employers
Activate Learning Adult Education offer a suite of sustainability courses for employers.
Our online programmes are developed in partnership with Bioregional and include:
- An Introduction to Sustainability
- Sustainability for Managers
- Induction Training in Sustainability
- Sustainability for Business Leaders
- Sustainability for Strategic Decision Makers
🌿 Activate Learning’s commitment to sustainability
At Activate Learning, we’re embedding sustainability into every aspect of college life:
- Sustainable campuses: Reducing emissions, improving recycling, and investing in green infrastructure
- Curriculum innovation: Teaching the skills that will power a sustainable economy
- Industry partnerships: Linking learners with employers driving green innovation
- Community impact: Working locally to promote environmental awareness and positive change
Education is the most powerful tool we have to build a sustainable future and FE colleges play an important role in making Britain a green energy superpower.
🌍 Green Careers Week is our opportunity to inspire the changemakers who will make it happen – let’s create the workforce that will power a sustainable world. 🌍
