Elevate Your Career in the Built Environment

The built environment shapes our cities and our lives, offering vast work opportunities for everyone who’s passionate about creating and living in sustainable spaces. As we move towards greener practices, green skills—such as energy efficiency, sustainable design, and eco-friendly construction—are becoming essential.
Did you know that professionals with green skills enjoy a 29% higher hiring rate? This is your chance to advance your career while making a real and positive impact on the planet.
Ready to take the leap? Explore our resources on courses, initiatives, organisations, and real-world success stories to kickstart your journey in this dynamic and rewarding field. The future is green, and your career can be too.
Illustration of three construction workers, one with a wheelbarrow of plants, symbolizing green building practices.

Why does the built environment need people like you?

According to ElectricalDirect, a quarter of us are now more interested in sustainability than they were a few years ago, and over a fifth of tradespeople have been questioned by potential customers about the environmental impact of their work over the last year.

Research from Kingfisher plc, owner of B&Q and Screwfix, found that over half of the tradespeople surveyed had seen an increase in requests for green jobs.

Around a quarter (27%) of working adults in Great Britain reported in May 2023 that they would describe any part of their job as a "green job", while around 1 in 20 (4%) reported that all or most of their job relates to "green" activities.

In 2020, 526,000 people were estimated to be in green jobs. With energy proficient products and waste being the biggest activities (113k and 97k)

In 2020, 526,000 people were estimated to be in green jobs. With energy proficient products and waste being the biggest activities (113k and 97k)

32.7% of green jobs being created are located in London and the south east.

Adapting Skills for Sustainable Buildings
Current Gaps and Future Needs

The difference you can make

Did you know that the buildings we live and work in are responsible for 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions?
Central London’s built environment professionals are at the forefront in the fight against climate change, with the power to make a real difference. While the industry has made great strides, there is still much more we can do to reduce emissions and reach the government’s Net Zero targets by 2050.
Did you know that the buildings we live and work in are responsible for 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions?
By adopting sustainable practices—like using green building materials, increasing energy efficiency, and cutting down on waste—you can help shape a more sustainable future.
Not only will this benefit our environment, but it will also strengthen community relationships and secure a thriving future for both your career and our city. Now is the time to act and be part of this part of this world-changing transformation.
Credit: WorldGBC
Illustration of three people in work attire holding a plant, a laptop, a globe, and blueprints, representing sustainability careers.

How your career will Benefit

Job Security

As demand for green building projects increases, professionals with sustainability skills will be in higher demand. This shift not only opens more job opportunities but also ensures long-term job stability in an industry that’s evolving towards sustainable practices.
Embracing sustainability allows you to explore a wider range of roles, from hands-on green construction to strategic planning and sustainability consultancy. This variety not only keeps your career exciting but also positions you as a versatile professional capable of adapting to different aspects of the industry.
The move towards sustainability offers ample opportunities for ongoing learning and skill development. By gaining expertise in areas like energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and eco-friendly design, you’ll keep your skills current and valuable, ensuring your career grows alongside the industry.
By championing sustainability, you position yourself as a leader in your field. This not only enhances your professional reputation but also gives you the chance to influence industry standards, drive innovation, and play a key role in shaping the future of the built environment.

Resources to get you started on your green journey

Skyline Skills Recommendations Report 2023
Creating a Skilled Workforce for Central London’s Sustainable Skyline....
UCEM – University College of Estate Management: What is the green skills gap (and why does it matter?
The built environment is in dire need of sustainability talent. Here are 6 skills that...
Gement Connect
Gement Connect is run in collaboration with the CITB which provides a 12-month fully-funded programme...
Supply Chain Sustainability School
A free learning environment to help people upskill into sustainable roles....

Workforce Testimonials

Impact of Green Skills and Sustainability

Megan Adlen, group sustainability director at Travis Perkins

“Smaller companies have smaller teams they won’t necessarily have in-house teams who understand...

Chris Sargent, Managing Director of UK Real Estate, Turner & Townsend

“Make net zero achievable and affordable by investing now in building and training the pipeline of...

Harish Ratna, Director, TateHindle

As architects, we aim to be custodians of our cities, leaving them better than we found them. To...

Amanda Williams, CIOB’s Head of Environmental Sustainability

“There are numerous examples of great work on sustainability in Construction”...

Unsure where to start in your upskilling journey?

Unsure where to start in your upskilling journey?

In the current workforce landscape, mastering green skills is crucial for professionals looking to excel in the sustainable built environment. By adhering to these guidelines, workers can significantly enhance their contributions to eco-friendly projects and secure a valuable position in the evolving green job market.
Gement Connect
Gement Connect is run in collaboration with the CITB which provides a 12-month fully-funded programme...
UK Commission for Employment and Skills
UKCES are a publicly funded, industry-led organisation that offers guidance on skills and employment issues...
The Green Skills Workforce Coalition
The Green Skills Workforce Coalition seeks to solve a looming green skills gap. The Coalition...
Supply Chain Sustainability School
A free learning environment to help people upskill into sustainable roles....

Case studies

What does best practice look like in business?

General resources

Empowering Your Journey:
Essential Resources

Resources-Workforce
Green Workx
Greenworkx empowers job seekers with the essential skills for green careers and connect employers with...
Energy Lab Consulting
Energylab are an energy and building services engineering consultancy, delivering efficient and flexible environments which...
Regeneration Brainery
Regeneration Brainery is an award-winning aspirational academy for brilliant young minds. Set up in 2017,...
UrbanPlan UK
UrbanPlan is a realistic, engaging, and academically demanding classroom-based curriculum in which students learn about...

Workforce

Explore Our Glossary of Terms
The built environment can be confusing, especially with all the new words and phrases that come with sustainability and green skills. Our glossary is here to help.