Ulster University
Greek Skills Through Partnership: The Sustainable Leadership Programme
Finalist, Tomorrow's Employees
About
The Sustainable Leadership Programme is a partnership-led initiative between Ulster University, the Department for the Economy (DfE), and PODIEM designed to address the green skills gap in Northern Ireland. The programme provides experienced professionals with the practical knowledge, tools, and behaviours required to lead sustainable transformation within their organisations. Delivered as a short, intensive postgraduate course, participants complete a live sustainability project directly linked to their workplace, supported by academic expertise and industry practitioners. Over 60 business leaders across multiple sectors have participated across three cohorts. Evaluation data shows 100% overall positive feedback, with 80% strongly agreeing the programme enhanced their capability to deliver sustainable change. The programme directly supports employability and workforce transformation by embedding sustainability into leadership practice. It provides a scalable model for higher education institutions seeking to deliver impact-based green skills programmes through effective government and industry collaboration.
Top 3 learnings
- We found partnership is essential to deliver relevant and impactful green skills programmes.
- We found applied, work-based learning drives faster and more meaningful sustainability outcomes.
- We found short, focused programmes can create immediate organisational and behavioural change.
What it would mean to win
This project has been so impactful for our region and an award would help us to demonstrate this impact to our wider stakeholders and society.
SDG
| 2026 | |
| Tomorrow's Employees | |
| Finalist, UK and Ireland |
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