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Green Skills: showcasing green innovation as part of pilot project

June 8th 2022

Future Space hosts four innovation workshops, providing an insight into how our members are using innovation to create sustainable solutions to world challenges.

The workshops were part of the Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship pilot programme run by UWE Bristol in partnership with Black South West Network and NatWest.

The Green Skills programme is part of Bristol’s long-term, sustainable plan to create a talented, diverse, green workforce for the future, empowering people from underrepresented backgrounds into green innovation. It feeds directly into Bristol’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, actioning Bristol’s pledge to act now to stop the climate emergency.

Delivered over eight weeks, the eight-day course covered topics including sustainable energy, fashion, transport, food, innovation and construction and the built environment.

Future Space and Launch Space members were among 60 industry speakers who engaged with the learners, including Altered Carbon, Greener Greens, Service Robotics, Octopus Hydrogen, Albotherm and Lava Labs.

The learners heard about how and why these companies started, and what their green impact is, before being given a tour of the University Enterprise Zone where they saw the support that entrepreneurs have access to here.

Now the programme is completed, learners will be able to apply for a fully paid internship, further training, or be supported to start their own business. Three of the green skills learners have already secured a space on our Launch Space incubator programme to develop their green business ideas.

Theo, co-founder at Lava Labs presented at two of the innovation days:

“It was fantastic to be involved in the programme and we’re grateful for the invitation to take part in such a forward-thinking initiative.”

"No doubt hearing such a variety of sustainable stories not only benefited the learners, but also businesses like ours, with still so much more to learn about how enterprise and sustainability can work hand-in-hand.”

Jamie Taylor, founder at Greener Greens and Launch Space alumni, says:

“I find it hard to think of a more valuable initiative than The Green Skills program. It’s tackling major areas that need addressing now, such as inclusion, the sustainable skills gap, as well as bridging the gap between education and business for a sustainable future.”

Ali Rohafza, co-founder and CEO at Altered Carbon says:

"It has been a privilege to engage with the next generation of potential tech-entrepreneurs via Green Skills and I hope we have encouraged some further thoughts on careers & project ideas within these subject areas.
We hope there are many more Green Skills programmes/talks in the future and they continue with their positive impact on students."

Quotes from the learners:

"The Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship Programme has been an incredible experience. During this programme, I have grown both professionally and personally. I have gained a new perspective on what green skills mean to me and have made connections with people with shared passions. The team has been super supportive of my career plans and future goals. It has been amazing to hear from the diverse and incredibly inspirational professionals working towards a more sustainable and promising future."

Mia Ashley

"The Green Skills course has taught me many things that I can carry throughout my future business and personal lifestyle... We have all the technology required to meet the 2030 agenda, however, it is the policies surrounding the life cycle of products alongside the fear of change acting as hurdles. If both globally and locally a genuine connection of communication and trust can be made; then through sharing opinions and experiences from all demographics and viewpoints, our aims can be met... Green skills isn’t a job or industry, it’s a lifestyle."

Khan Talbert Johnson

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