LOOKING for a job with the royal seal of approval?
Six eco-apprenticeships will be endorsed by a King Charles III Coronation emblem to recognise their sustainability credentials.
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Roles honoured include Low Carbon Heating Technician, Sustainability Business Specialist, Countryside Worker, Forest Craftsperson, Installation Electrician and Maintenance Electrician, and Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner.
The Government is championing a Green Industrial Revolution and has pledged to support two million planet-friendly jobs by 2030, including in construction, energy, recycling and electric vehicles.
Among organisations taking up the challenge to create more green jobs and apprenticeships is eco- energy firm Utilita, whose boss Bill Bullen said: “Our people are our business, we have a role for every skill set. Where an individual’s ambition and work ethic matches that of the business, opportunities are endless.”
Fiona Rooney is a field engineer for Utilita, installing smart meters and teaching families how to use less energy to save money and the planet.
The 36-year-old, from the Wirral, decided against going to university, to train instead as a power engineer — and has worked in the energy sector for 17 years.
She said: “The move towards Net Zero and more efficient heating systems will create a huge opportunity for anyone considering joining the industry — there’s never been a better time.
“Training is available for those new to the industry and, in just six years, Utilita has paid for me to complete seven qualifications to further my career. Watching a customer’s face when they see how much more control they have once they are smart-installed is really special. It’s a penny-drop moment.
“I leave their house knowing they’ll be able to make their energy go further, for both a happy pocket and a happy planet.”
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Here’s some of what’s on offer:
Utilita has 50 roles — see utilita.co.uk/careers.
Find jobs for Low Carbon Heating Engineers at lowcarbonexchange.com/careers.
Or Energy firm Ovo is offering smart meter apprenticeships — check out careers.ovo.com.
And greenjobs.co.uk lists jobs for sustainability experts.
JOBSPOT
MENSWEAR retailer MOSS BROSS has rebranded to MOSS and has 80 in-store roles and four HQ positions available. Find details at corp.moss.co.uk/careers.
Recruiter GREENBEAN is looking for customer contact staff for seasonal and permanent work. See greenbeanrpo.com/jobs.
WORK ON MENTAL HEALTH
ALMOST 15 per cent of staff struggle with their mental health at work.
It is Mental Health Awareness Week so we asked Caspar Craven, author of Be More Human (casparcraven.com), for advice.
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Caspar said: “Mental health is no longer the taboo subject that it once was and there are lots of actions we can each take to better look after our own wellbeing.”
Here are his top tips . . .
- BEGIN AT HOME: Put yourself in the best place possible by developing a routine that includes quality sleep and exercise, as well as a good diet and time to switch off, relax and unwind.
- PUT PEN TO PAPER: When you’re struggling, write down what you feel. Ever notice how the same ideas keep playing on repeat in your mind? Noting this down can help to quieten the recurring pattern.
- SEEK HELP: More people than we realise struggle with their mental health. Seek out support, such as workplace mental health first-aiders, and ask for help.
- TRUSTED CHAT: Who do you know and trust that you can talk to in confidence? Is there someone who can listen without judgment or comment? Sharing strong emotions can be a good pressure-release valve.
- GET OUTSIDE: Sitting in meetings or in front of a screen all day is no good for anyone. Plan to take short breaks – ideally to get fresh air and take a walk outside, even if just for 15 minutes.
ONLY WAY IS UPSKILL
THE rapid rise of AI, and the digital skills gap, mean it’s never been more important to upskill at work.
This week is the 25th annual Learning At Work Week, with thousands of firms, from Greggs to the RNLI, taking part nationwide and showcasing opportunities for staff to take courses and improve their knowledge.
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This year’s theme is Create The Future.
Julia Wright, director of the charity Campaign For Learning, who co-ordinated the week, said: “As the world of work is changing rapidly, shining a spotlight on learning makes business sense.
“For businesses to succeed, supporting employees to learn and constantly refresh their skills and knowledge is key.”
Find out more at learningatworkweek.com.
YOUNG BIZKIDS
ONLINE giant Amazon is to fund 300 apprenticeships over the next year, for small businesses selling on its site.
The placements, in areas ranging from digital marketing to visual effects and cyber security, will last from 12 to 48 months. They will offer a mix of on-the-job and classroom training, along with specialist online learning provided by Amazon.
Amazon’s UK boss John Boumphrey said: “We hope other larger employers will also choose to transfer some of their unspent levy to create valuable apprenticeship roles.
For more details and to apply, email apprenticeshipfund@ amazon.com.
