editor The push for sustainability has been one of the most pervasive trends in marketing history – it may be the first consumer trend that is legitimately affecting legislation and public perceptions of the world in general. Many consumer researchers have been looking into this, including Top $ firm Deloitte. According to Deloitte’s research, a staggering one in four consumers are prepared to pay more for sustainability. What’s more, is that this number shows no signs of slowing down. Over a quarter of consumers are voting with their feet when it comes to the matter of sustainability, and this number is expected to rise significantly. If you own a business, the pressure to adapt to a green economy should feel more intense than ever.
However, it won’t just take a few half-hearted green pledges to truly survive the transition to the sustainable economy. The modern consumer is more likely to be able to discern which brands are actually incorporating sustainable practices and committing to their green pledges, and which ones are simply doing ‘green washing.’
Green washing is a form of marketing spin in which companies pretend to be sustainable and may actually be making token steps, however, the practices aren’t sustainable in actuality. A good example of this might be a brand using environmental imagery and words such as ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘natural’, despite not doing anything to actually be sustainable at all. In the modern era, consumers are more likely to be able to spot greenwashing or ‘green sheen,’ and will choose the brand they shop with accordingly. In order to thrive in the emerging sustainable economy, your company will need to invest in making your company sustainable. There are many ways you can do this, but one of the best ways is green education and training.
When your staff are trained in what true sustainability is, how to make the business sustainable and how they can make their job greener – your company has the best chance of thriving in the green economy. Ensuring that your staff develop the appropriate green skills for your industry will be one of the best ways to future proof your company, as the push for sustainability will develop from a trend into a commonplace standard in the business world. Incorporating green skills into your business will be one of the best things you can do to thrive in the future.
But finding green skills training for your company can be a very difficult thing to do, especially if you want to find specific green training that will help your company compete in the industry. Despite nearly every industry needing green skills and green jobs, it can seem like the opportunities for green training are pretty scarce. However, it is simply a matter of knowing where to look. Many governments across the world are funding green training opportunities in a myriad of different industries, so that they can meet their net zero goals as set out in the Paris Climate Agreement.
If you want to find the best education opportunities that will prepare your workforce for the development of a sustainable economy, you need to start looking within your general industry. There is no point in investing in sustainable education if it’s not specific to your industry, because it will not actually help you be sustainable within it. There are many industry specific courses for green training, in industries such as agriculture, energy, transport, technology, architecture, construction, fashion and much more. Try looking for green training opportunities within your industry, so that you can prepare your company for the sustainable change and won’t be left behind by your competitors.
Furthermore, one of the best ways you can find education opportunities for you and your workforce regarding sustainability is to look at your national and local government’s website. As aforementioned, many countries around the world are investing in green training for the workforce, so that they can help the country modernise and reach their net zero goals by 2050. By looking into your local and national government’s funding opportunities, you may be able to find free green skills training for your company, allowing you to make your company sustainable without spending a lot of money.
Finally, in order to find the best sustainable education opportunities for your company, you should be looking into which accreditation is the industry standard for your business. This will allow you to attain the best possible sustainable accreditation, which will help you promote your company without green washing – you’ll be able to provide evidence of your business’ sustainability pledges. This could also help you get sustainable work projects within your industry, and could allow you to get the edge over your competitors. Placing accreditation at the forefront of your search for great green training is one of the best things you can do for your business.
Investing in fantastic green skills training is one of the best things you can do for your business. Whether you’re a building company investing in green construction NVQs, or you’re an agriculture business looking at reducing emissions – make sure your staff are prepared for the sustainable economy through finding green education opportunities.
