A careers project for students at The Sheffield College has been highly commended in the Green Gown Awards 2025.
Now in their 21st year, the awards recognise outstanding sustainability initiatives led by colleges and universities.
This year saw 112 finalists from 76 institutions shortlisted with 23 winners and 24 highly commended awards announced.
The Sheffield College was highly commended in the Tomorrow’s Employees category for its Green Careers Inspiration Project.
Angela Foulkes CBE, Chief Executive and Principal, The Sheffield College, said: “It’s an honour to receive this recognition for the second year running.
“Involving employers in raising awareness of green skills and careers is a great way to educate the workforce of the future. The project reflects our wider commitment to integrate environmental sustainability into the curriculum and I’d like to thank all of the college staff involved.”
The project has shown students how local and regional employers in different sectors are tackling climate change and working to preserve or restore natural resources. Students have heard from employers working in the arts, conservation, construction, engineering, healthcare, horticulture, renewable energy, policing and sport.
The aim has been to highlight the green knowledge and skills needed for mainstream job roles as well as sustainability specific ones. Employer guest speaker sessions ran during Green Careers Week in November 2024 and the college has just run a similar project this month.
During Green Careers Week 2025, employers from industry areas including catering and hospitality, horticulture, land management, performing arts, sport, and travel and tourism, took part.
Sustainability is a key theme of the college’s Strategic Plan 2025 to 2030 alongside learning, people and partnerships. As part of the plan, the college has pledged to integrate environmental sustainability into the curriculum beyond traditional subject areas such as geography and science.
The college has set up an Environmental Sustainability Working Group, which includes student representation. The aim is to ensure that students grasp the impact of climate change and how it is relevant to their personal and future working lives and to address gaps in knowledge.
Research by the Learning and Work Institute, published in 2022 for WorldSkills UK, has shown that young people lack awareness and understanding of green skills and green jobs despite a strong commitment to sustainability.
The Green Gown Awards are delivered by the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC) in association with UK Research and Innovation. The winners were announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on 6th November 2025.
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