How Siemens is Upskilling Future Talent
For the technology company Siemens, upskilling the community is an essential part of its journey towards a Just Transition. Working closely with Business in the Community (BITC), Siemens has successfully aligned its community investment strategy with its sustainable development and sustainability goals, bringing them together in one clear strategy.
“The nature of our business means that the majority of our employees have a good understanding of what we mean by green skills,” explains Olivia Whitlam, Head of Sustainability at Siemens. “But we know that the same isn’t true of future talent. That’s why, with the help of BITC, we put a lot of effort into community outreach, particularly with young people and their families from disadvantaged groups.”
The nature of our business means that the majority of our employees have a good understanding of what we mean by green skills.
Olivia Whitlam, Head of Sustainability, Siemens.
Raising Awareness of Environmental Issues to the Wider Community
Working with the National Literacy Trust, Siemens has funded bespoke training to over 240 Eco Literacy Champions, a team of volunteers throughout England who promote awareness of environmental issues and sustainability to children and families, while also helping to raise their literacy levels through specialised activities and events.
Teach First is a charity that develops and supports teachers and leaders in disadvantaged communities. Through its partnership with the organisation, Siemens is helping STEM teachers to incorporate the transition to a decarbonised economy into the curriculum.
As a national partner of the Greenpower Education Trust, Siemens also sponsors its Sustainability Award, which challenges young people to use the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to inspire a Greenpower project.
“The ‘greening’ of the curriculum has tended to be very focused on nature,” says Olivia. “But from a business perspective, we need future talent to understand how important technological innovations will be to achieving net zero. This fundamental goal drives our outreach strategy.”
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