26/03/2010 – 5,000 green work placements in £2m Government scheme
Ed Balls, Children, Schools and Families Secretary today announced a unique partnership led by the Eden Project, to create 5,000 green work placements for young people aged 14 to 19. Other partners include the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Institute of Education Business Excellence (IEBE).
Called "Green Talent" the £2m DCSF-funded scheme aims to nurture and inspire the environmental leaders of tomorrow and connect them with job opportunities in the emerging green economy.
In addition to creating the first 5,000 placements, the programme aims to be:
- a catalyst to a culture change that transforms more traditional work experience so it better prepares young people for 21st century jobs
- introduce young people to the opportunities opening up in the new low carbon economy
- inspire them to become engaged in creating environmental solutions, rather than simply informing them about the problems
The partnership will also include Arrival Education, Business in the Community through the Work Inspiration campaign and the Prince's Mayday Network, Carbon Trust, and People & Planet.
Due to start in May the first young people will begin their placements this autumn and conclude in October 2011.
Young people will join a two-day interactive placement at one of environmental centres across England.
The six sites are:
- Eden Project, Cornwall
- Kew Gardens, south west London
- Wakehurst Place, West Sussex, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew's country site
- RSPB nature reserve at Dearne Valley, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire
- RSPB nature reserve, Saltholme near Middlesbrough
- RSPB nature reserve, Sandwell Valley near Birmingham
The two days at the centres will be followed by three days of work experience with selected companies around the country.