Sustainable Futures in the Green Industry: Remote Work Experience

Nurturing Green Careers with ecoACTIVE

Supporting young people to feel empowered about their future is fundamental to Futures For All, and one employer partner helping to shape sustainable futures is ecoACTIVE. 

Environmental education charity, ecoACTIVE, has a bold and urgent mission to create a world where young people and communities are agents of change for a better planet. As the demand for green jobs continues to grow, so does the need to empower young people to pursue green careers and to develop skills that lay the groundwork for industry roles – and a more sustainable path ahead.  

“We are very keen to equip the young generation with the skills and knowledge needed to transition to a green and sustainable economy. This shift needs to happen urgently and we need to train people for it as quickly and thoroughly as we can.”

Catia Squarcia, ecoACTIVE 

Inside the Virtual Work Experience

During October 2025, ecoACTIVE partnered with Futures For All to deliver a 2-day virtual work experience for young people – providing a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work in one of the most important sectors shaping our future. Hosted entirely online in collaboration with Watts Sustainability, the remote placement enabled young people to gain real-world insights while developing essential employability skills and knowledge.

Participants met remotely with professionals from across ecoACTIVE to discover the variety of meaningful opportunities within the green industry and their contribution to the environmental landscape. Working collaboratively, students explored case studies and took part in interactive activities before sharing final presentations addressing critical ecological challenges and sustainability themes. This interactive format meant participants could apply problem-solving, practical and communication skills – all from home.

Student Feedback

“I enjoyed listening to someone who is so passionate to change our world for the better and it gave me something to think about when I’m choosing my career. I also enjoyed the group work as I was able to develop my communicating skills.”

Student

“I felt very involved… all the information was relevant and interesting and has helped me decide that I really want to work in a green career. The whole experience was great and I enjoyed it all.”

Student

Futures That Flourish

Students attending the online work experience had the opportunity to apply their knowledge in an exam and gain an accredited entry level qualification – the ISEP Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workforce Certificate. This credential is highly valued by employers in the UK's growing green economy – and serves as another career-boosting experience and asset to help young people take their first career steps and thrive. 

“The green sector is currently the most important sector to join… with purpose-driven jobs that actually help people and the planet… it is flourishing with endless opportunities which will only grow in the next decade.”

Catia Squarcia, ecoACTIVE

Advice For Young People

The green industry offer a wide range of meaningful opportunities for passionate, forward-thinking, proactive individuals who are inspired by the possibility of sustainable change. 

Whether you’re already set on a green career, or keeping your options open but keen to make a positive impact on your future workplace, community and beyond; the sustainability industry opens the door to exciting opportunities and values skills that are transferable across roles and sectors.

“All jobs will be green soon, therefore we need all sorts of careers and skills, including creatives, art, humanities, education, etc... Anything you like, it can have a place in the green economy.”

Catia Squarcia, ecoACTIVE

Learn more about green jobs here.

Learn more about ecoACTIVE here. 

Employer Insights

“[Offering work experience] is a really impactful way to help young people, and also to be up to date and reactive to the needs of younger generations, which each company should strive to attract.”

Catia Squarcia, ecoACTIVE

Building Green Careers

Students left with a clearer picture of what a future in the green industry and STEM careers could look like – as well as the confidence and ability to become future change-makers.  

Key outcomes: 

Young people rated their remote work experience as 4.2 out of 5 stars. 

79% of young people were confident that they could achieve their career ambitions after taking part in the placement. 

Why Virtual Work Experience Matters  

Through partnerships like this with ecoACTIVE, Futures For All and employers are helping students across the UK to access opportunities they may not have had otherwise – while equipping them with the confidence and skills to succeed. 

With work experience supporting young people to develop real-world skills and informed career decisions – and remote delivery making career exploration more inclusive and flexible – it is a vital pathway to a fulfilling career and secure future. 

Discover Work Experience for Yourself 

Whether you’re keen to apply for work experience or provide some for young people, head to our Work Experience Finder to get started.  

Our Talks Library is also available as a resource of insights into different sectors.  

* Image source: https://www.ecoactive.org.uk/