We are the charity formerly known as Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS)

Green Jobs & Skills

What are they?

Green jobs can be found in traditional sectors, such as manufacturing, construction and transport, and in newer sectors such as energy efficiency, waste use, recycling, low-carbon transport, buildings and renewable energy.

They are jobs that might involve, for example:

  • increasing the energy efficiency of existing and new-build housing
  • the provision of public transport, electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure
  • support for recycling, the reuse and reduction of waste materials
  • managing corporate responsibility for the environment
  • auditing carbon footprint for companies

 

Furthermore, improving resource efficiency and reducing waste can generate savings that can be invested back into employment.

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Research & Reports

Free Whitepaper

Mind the gap: Why Gen Z talent is crucial in addressing the looming green skills shortfall.

Read our report

The potential for green jobs in Cumbria

Published in 2021

Read LinkedIn’s report

Global Green Skills Report

Published in 2023

Green jobs directory

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We have listed a selection of green jobs below, but it is in no way exhaustive. It’s worth remembering that all skills can be applied in the work towards decarbonising and supporting nature!

Agronomist

Duties: advise farmers on soil health and help to produce crops in a more efficient sustainable way

Anaerobic Digestion - Engineer / Project Manager

Duties: managing farm and food waste using microorganisms to break down this biodegradable material to create a fuel which produces renewable energy

Aboriculture Officer

Duties: manage and maintain trees for local councils and arboricultural contractors

Carbon Accountant / Consultant

Duties: Assists businesses to understand and measure the carbon emissions of all their activities. Enables them to report these emissions and implement plans to reduce them as far as possible

Climate Scientist

Duties: study changes in the Earth’s climate over time and how they might affect the planet in the future

Countryside Officer / Ranger

Duties: look after green spaces and can work on tree planting schemes to help reduce effects of flooding. Manage protect and improve the rural environment.

Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner

Duties: make sure that businesses work in an ethical way

Ecologist

Duties: study and help to restore environments such as woodlands, plants and animals

EV Mechanic

Duties: repair EV cars

Environmental Specialist

Duties: monitor how humans affect the environment. They identify environmental hazards, recommend ways to reduce impact, oversee field examinations and create reports on hazardous materials or locations 

Electrician

Duties: Design, install, maintain, and repair electrical systems and components. Read technical diagrams and blueprints and follow wiring plans. Troubleshoot and test electrical problems and ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

Energy Consultant

Duties: work with people who are interested in installing renewable energy systems like solar panels. The goal of an energy consultant is to help clients find the best renewable energy system for their needs while also mitigating the environmental impact of the installation

Energy Adviser

Duties: offer energy services and assist clients with a variety of energy needs. They might help clients choose the right energy-efficient product for their needs and preferences, schedule energy equipment installations and educate clients on available energy products and their benefits. They also perform energy audits

Engineer

Duties: work on systems to support renewable technologies: solar, wind, tidal, hydrogen 

Environmental Manager

Duties: ensure companies comply with environmental regulations and promote sustainable development

Environmental Technician

Duties: monitor the environment and identify ways to reduce contamination or pollution. Their responsibilities may include collecting and analysing soil samples, performing environmental impact studies to determine how various human activities affect the environment and cleaning up contaminated sites

Forestry Worker

Duties: plant, manage and harvest trees and care for the environment in forests and woodland 

Hydrologist

Duties: study rainfall, rivers and groundwater systems to help develop sustainable ways of managing water 

Insulation Installer

Duties: add and replace insulation material in homes, buildings and mechanical systems, which helps to save energy and reduce noise

Peatlands (various)

Duties: protect and restore our peatlands

Recycling Officer

Duties: work in one of 3 sites in Cumbria where building materials are recycled

Retrofit of buildings

Duties: carrying out carbon audit then installation of intervention measures i.e. windows, insulation in housing 

Recycling Engagement Officer

Duties: run local recycling schemes and explain the benefits of recycling to the public

Smart Meter Installer

Duties: fit meters in customer homes which help people to monitor and reduce the energy they use 

Solar Engineer / Technician / Installer

Duties: work with solar panels. They assemble solar modules, apply sealant, determine how to lay out panels and identify any hazards that would interfere with photovoltaic installations

Tree Surgeon

Duties: work in towns and the countryside, assessing tree health, removing branches, planting new stock and felling unsafe trees

Wind Turbine Technician

Duties: install, repair, operate and maintain the wind turbines that produce renewable energy on land and at sea

Futureproof Cumbria web graphics green jobs
Jobs in Low Energy Building and Retrofit / Refurbishment

This diagram shows where some of the jobs above can be found throughout the building/retrofit process. Each project starts with an energy model, then moves onto surveying, then designing, then building, and finally monitoring and evaluation.

Energy / Retrofit Advisor

Retrofit Assessor

Retrofit Coordinator

Energy / Retrofit Consultant

Structural Engineer

Chartered Surveyor

Thermographer

Air Tightness tester

Other consultants

Retrofit Designer

Architect

Architectural Technologist

Building Energy Consultant

Designer/ Engineer in:

Heat Pumps

Ventilation Systems

Renewable Technologies

Quantity Surveyor

Project Manager

Clerk of Works

Air Tightness Tester

Bricklayer

Joiner

Plasterer

Roofer

Insulation Installer

Air Tightness Champion / . Installer

Retrofit Installer

Ventilation System Installer

Heat Pump Installer

Solar PV Installer

Electrician

Plumber

Retrofit Evaluator

Data Analyst

Thermographer

Air Tightness Tester

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