GM Green Skills Collaboration Shortlisted for National Award
A pioneering collaboration between Greater Manchester’s Civic University Agreement partners and regional employers has been shortlisted for the Green Careers Award in the ACGAS Awards for Excellence 2025, recognising its bold, hands-on approach to green skills development and its success in inspiring the next generation of sustainability leaders.
The shortlisted initiative, Green Careers Mission, was hosted at Manchester Metropolitan University and brought together 69 students from across disciplines and institutions to tackle real-world environmental challenges, aligned with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)’s Environmental Plan for the region.
Working in interdisciplinary teams, students addressed challenges set by employers including Siemens, Thomas Kneale, and Manchester City Council, covering topics including mitigating climate change, improving air quality, sustainable production and consumption of resources, protecting the natural environment, and building resilience to the impacts of climate change. Students went beyond theory to produce practical proposals, which they later showcased to civic, business, and community leaders at the GM Green Summit.
The experience left a lasting impression on participants. One participant commented: "The insights from all our universities made our ideas sharper and more actionable.” Another added: “Projects like these are essential for bridging theory and practice, giving us hands-on experience in creating actionable sustainability strategies.”
The Green Careers Mission continues to foster long-term impact, with many students staying connected through a dedicated LinkedIn group that supports ongoing networking, knowledge exchange, and access to green career opportunities. The initiative aims to build a lasting community of practice, with alumni encouraged to return as mentors and champions of peer learning. Students are also continuing to share their insights at national and regional forums, such as the SOS-UK Student Symposium, the Advance HE Conference, and the Manchester Zero Carbon Skills Group.
The initiative is led by the GM Civic University Green Skills Working Group, a cross-institutional collaboration of academics, professional services staff, and senior leaders from all five Greater Manchester Universities — University of Greater Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Manchester, Royal Northern College of Music, and University of Salford — alongside GMCA and GM Colleges. The group is united in its ambition to help achieve Greater Manchester’s 2038 carbon neutral target, bringing together education, research, and innovation to prepare learners for the green economy while contributing to a just, sustainable transition.
The AGCAS Awards for Excellence, run by the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, celebrate outstanding achievements in higher education careers services. The Green Careers Award recognises projects that make a tangible difference in preparing students for environmentally sustainable careers.
Award winners will be announced at the AGCAS Annual Conference at Newcastle University on 17–18 June 2025.