University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)
Underpinning a just transition with green jobs and skills
Finalist, Tomorrow's Employees
About
UWE Bristol is pioneering a systemic, intersectional approach to the green skills agenda by bridging the gap between industry representation and education. Built on the legacy of the ‘Women Like Me’ programme – which has mentored over 350 women to challenge workplace stereotypes – the ‘Inspire Sustainability’ initiative has developed innovative careers resources like the Green Futures card sets and delivered outreach to over 7,700 pupils across the West of England. UWE is actively dismantling barriers for under-represented groups in male-dominated green sectors. Through strategic partnerships with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and industry, the project provides a scalable model for a just transition. It combines school outreach, teacher/ambassador training, professional mentoring, and apprentice pathways, to ensure tomorrow’s employees possess the technical knowledge and diverse role models necessary to thrive in a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Top 3 learnings
- A just transition requires deliberate design – green jobs will not become inclusive by accident.
- We learned that shifting culture and raising aspiration must happen simultaneously, not sequentially.
- Reaching underrepresented communities requires trusted partners – institutions alone cannot open doors.
What it would mean to win
We are committed to sharing best practice across the sector, and collaborating to drive change. We believe celebrating success is core to that journey.
SDG
| 2026 | |
| Tomorrow's Employees | |
| Finalist, UK and Ireland |
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