Burton and South Derbyshire College
Embedding Sustainability from Induction: Building Employability Across Further Education
Finalist, Next Generation Learning and Skills
Finalist, Next Generation Learning and Skills
About
The Sustainability Induction Projects (2024–2026) embed sustainability as a core employability skill across Further Education through curriculum-wide induction activities delivered across vocational areas including Health & Social Care, Motor Vehicle, Creative Arts, Sport, Public Services and Supported Internships. Rather than being delivered as a standalone topic, sustainability is integrated into practical, project-based learning designed by curriculum teams to reflect real workplace practice. Learners engage in applied activities such as vehicle dismantling to explore circular economy principles, sustainable production in creative disciplines, and health-focused sustainability guidance in care contexts. The initiative develops sustainability competencies including responsible decision-making, collaboration and ethical practice, ensuring learners understand sustainability as a core element of professional identity. Delivered through existing curriculum structures, the model is low-cost, scalable and designed to embed sustainability from induction onwards as a foundation for vocational learning and skills development.
Top 3 learnings
1. We embedded sustainability across curriculum areas, strengthening employability, professional identity, and learner engagement from induction.
2. We found repeated practical activities created longer-lasting sustainable habits than classroom-based learning alone.
3. We found community sustainability projects increased learner confidence, wellbeing, social impact, and strengthened external partnerships.
SDGs
4. Quality education
| 2026 | |
| Next Generation Learning and Skills | |
| Finalist, UK and Ireland |
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