Valley’s youngsters interview business leaders as part of green skills drive

Senior business people have been back to school in Merthyr as part of a collaborative effort to bridge the ‘green skills’ gap in the Heads of the Valleys (HOV).

Delegates from Business in the Community’s (BITC) ‘Green Skills Business Forum’ were interviewed by 15 year old GCSE pupils from Pen Y Dre High School, during a ‘speed networking’ session to learn about green skills, and assess their compatibility as mentors.

“Through this exercise, business people have shared their values and their work ethic, providing a valuable insight into the world of work – something which is especially important in an underprivileged community.  In this lean period, jobs are few and far between, so it’s extremely important that we show pupils the new opportunites emerging for green skills, and show them some of the different pathways available.  I think that the pupils have been enlightened by what they’ve heard, and we hope that this inspires them to aim higher in life.”

Following the session, the business leaders from companies including Rockwool, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and Wates, will be matched with individual pupils in one-to-one mentoring relationships. It is hoped that this will be the first step in forming lasting partnerships, providing the pupils with career advice, work experience and support to raise their career aspirations.

The experience was aimed at pupils who are on the cusp between C and D level achievement in some subjects, and designed as a specific intervention to raise their attainment, whilst providing a real world experience. 

Led by Welsh Water, the visit was part of BITC’s Seeing is Believing programme, and was aimed at engaging one of Wales’ most deprived communities in tackling critical green skills shortages, one of the key barriers to regenerating the economy in the HOV whilst transforming it into a Low Carbon Zone. 

Sharanne Basham Pyke, who is currently seconded from BT to BITC and facilitates the forum, said that the visit to Pen y Dre School has played an important part in inspiring pupils, but also provided an insight into the role businesses can and want to play in the wider regeneration of the HOV area:

“For forum members, it provided a valuable insight into how they can work with the education sector in building green skills.  HOV is a huge regeneration programme and offers some amazing opportunities for businesses to grow and diversify, whilst creating jobs and opportunities for local people. However, addressing this skills gap is vital  to develop sustainably and meet the long term social objectives.

“Developing partnerships between businesses, the education sector and the community is essential for this programme to succeed, so we’re delighted that this is the beginning of a mutually beneficial partnership.”

It is estimated that tens of millions of pounds will be invested in the HOV over the next 15 years, with a strategic goal not only to tackle fuel poverty, but creating a new industry base in the region linked to green jobs.

The Green Skills Business Forum’s role has been to identify what the current and future gaps in greens skills are for businesses operating or investing in the HOV, and look at how these issues can be addressed whilst tackling some of the most pressing social issues including poverty, education and unemployment.

Sally Gronow, Head of Communications at Welsh Water, said:

“Through the Green Skills Forum, we’ve heard from a number of businesses who were keen to engage on this agenda on a longer term basis and I look forward to working individually and collaboratively to support the development of green skills and regeneration in the HOV. I’m very much looking forward on updating The Prince on what we’ve learned today and how we can move forward on this agenda.”

The delegation included Rockwool, Wales and West Utilities, Wates, Welsh Water, Filsol Solar, , Envirowall, British Gas, Enterprise, UES, Costain, Midas, Micaul, Envirowall, Welsh Water and Bullock Cymru.  Those taking part will be invited to report back to HRH The Prince of Wales at an event in 2011.

The Green Skills Forum, established by Business in the Community in March 2010, is a growing network with more than 35 members, who have come together to address shortages in green skills in a range of industries.

The business delegates also visited a Neighbourhood Learning Centre which provides training opportunities to NEETS (Not in Education, Employment or Training) as part of establishing further links with local employers to provide job opportunities for local people. Delegates started and finished their tour at The Works in Ebbw Vale.