A Bristol green partnership that WORKS for everyone.

In an exciting collaboration with Bristol WORKS, Bristol Green Capital Partnership has committed to supporting this new initiative to harness the expertise of the sustainability community of Bristol, diversify employer involvement, and help develop a skilled workforce with aspirations for a sustainable Bristol with a high quality of life for all.

One of Mayor Marvin Rees’ manifesto pledges was to deliver experience of work and the opportunity of an apprenticeship for every young person who wants one. Bristol WORKS, through a model of collaborative working, is one way that this is happening.

Part of the Bristol Learning City Partnership, WORKS is building a unique collaboration between employers, learning providers and local communities to develop a skilled local workforce. Their aim is to offer bespoke experience of work programmes created with schools, based on the needs of young people. This could involve a range of different opportunities, from hosting workshops and assemblies, offering mentorships and site visits, to work placements within organisations.

Research suggests that young adults who had four or more experiences of work while at school are five times more likely to engage in further education, employment and training. They earn, on average, 16% more than their peers who had no such experiences. However, not all young people are able to access such opportunities.

Bristol Green Capital Partnership, with a diverse range of over 800 member organisations from the city’s private, public and third sectors, adds value to the Bristol WORKS initiative and increases choices for young people in Bristol. By offering meaningful experiences of environmental sustainability-related work, WORKS and Bristol Green Capital Partnership will help to equip future generations with the passion and skills that will enable them to help create a more sustainable Bristol with a high quality of life for all.

Mayor Marvin Rees is thrilled with the collaboration, stating: “We are delighted to be working with the Green Capital Partnership to encourage more environmentally sustainable businesses to pledge their support for the WORKs programme. Organisations can get involved in many different ways to offer valuable experiences of work for young people. I hope that many businesses will want to join us in nurturing Bristol’s future workforce and levelling the playing field for students across the city.”

Ian Townsend, Chief Executive of Bristol Green Capital Partnership, said “Our shared Partnership vision is of a sustainable, low carbon Bristol with a high quality of life for all. But our sustainable future will depend on having an ambitious workforce skilled up to address the environmental challenges we will face. By offering meaningful work experience to Bristol’s schoolchildren, who may otherwise not have access to such opportunities, Partnership members will make a real difference, inspiring and equipping our future sustainability leaders.”