I’m hopeless at keeping track of trends unless I write them down. AI has done nothing to help me improve this. Sure, the knowledge is there, somewhere in a text file. But when I’m asked about it, I freeze. The knowledge doesn’t come to hand. Because it isn’t in my head. It is in a file somewhere.
To try and counter this not-knowing, this loose knowledge, I write things down. If there’s one thing I’m trying to do with this newsletter it is to pick out the wider trends and themes. Here is the first one.
Skills to tackle climate change.
Not to generalise, but Gen Z are pretty climate-conscious. Almost two-thirds want a green job in the next five years. And the demand from employers is there. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of job adverts requiring at least one green skill increased by 22%. But very few candidates have the chops to succeed. Only one in 20 job seekers have the necessary green skills to tackle the climate crisis.
It's unsurprising then that job seekers with green skills are finding it easier to find a job. Workers with a green skill on their resume get hired a third more often (29%) than the workforce average.
Upskilling companies and government initiatives are looking to fill this gap. You will see the phrase “skills shortage” get thrown around a lot in this area. It's a phrase we should all be sceptical of. We saw the same language a decade ago around the so-called "digital skills shortage". But I digress, that's a topic for another day.
The last few months have seen fundraises from many companies focused on green skills.
Always more names, more initiatives than I can list here. But this is a theme, not an exhaustive list. Names like La Solive (~$4m) in France; fundraising to expand their training in energy-efficient renovations. Smalt (~$8m) in Germany who are expanding solar training. Maine’s US Climate Alliance pledging to train one million apprentices in green and clean energy jobs by 2035.
And in the UK, the Labour government aims to overhaul the apprenticeship levy to direct funding to more green skills initiatives. Although the exact details of how this will work are yet to be revealed.
Lastly, two acquisitions Progression has been acquired by Careerminds, and Ribbon Education has joined ETS. Congratulations to Jonny, Joe and Lisa. There’s something wonderful about seeing both come full circle this week.
Jobs.
Europe
Apolitical would like a Learning Designer in London. The job ad also calls this role a Course Writer. This is a 6-month, fixed-term contract. You’ll work across climate, AI and leadership courses. I recently went to the Apolitical offices in Elephant and Castle and I must say they’re really rather nice.
Brian is a Zurich-based company that has built an AI Teaching Assistant. They are looking for a Chief Product Officer either remote or in Zurich. You’ll only need 3+ years of experience for this role but you will need perfect German. I’m not sure I can even speak perfect English.
La Solive is looking for a CRM/Product Marketing Manager in Paris. The role is hybrid with two days required in the Paris office. The company retrains people into energy jobs. There are only 35 people in the org. and the salary is between €43k and €53k. Potential to do a lot, quickly, with this one.
Ironhack is hiring a VP Finance in Madrid. This ad came up a few months ago and now it’s re-appeared. I don’t know what that means other than it’s curious.
Edurino is after an Interim VP of Product. You’ll need 8+ years in product leadership, with a minimum of 4 years in senior roles (VP, Director, or equivalent) for this one.
Perlego would like a Head of People in London. You’ll manage and coach a team of three and they will pay you between £80k and £100k + share options for the priviledge.
North America
FutureFit AI is hiring for a Strategic Proposal Manager in New York or Toronto. You will need 4+ years of experience in a fast-paced, highly strategic, outcomes-oriented environment. Their motto is “High velocity, high intensity, high trust, high bar, high impact, and a will to win.” Just reading those last two sentences makes me want a lie down and a cup of tea. Exhausting.
Jobs for the Future is looking for a Director of Growth, either remotely or in Boston (headquarters), Washington, DC, or Oakland. You’ll join the Strategy & Impact team and lead key growth initiatives. You’ll need 10+ years of prior professional experience and be willing to travel up to 25% of the time. Salary of between $100k and $125k annually.
The Dept of Industrial Relations in California is after an Apprenticeship & Workforce Innovation Leader. Interesting opportunity to work on expanding apprenticeships across California. $120k+ a year.
Magic EdTech is on the hunt for a Director of Digital Curriculum in New York. Minimum of 3 years’ experience required for this one. Which seems kindof low but then again I’m not hiring for the role. They’re also looking for a Learning Design Consultant.
Stepful would like a Learning Program Manager in New York. They do online training for healthcare jobs. If you have 2+ years of experience in this space you’ll take home between $80k and $120k. Which seems like a lot but I guess New York is an expensive place to live.
Thanks for reading. Three points make a triangle, a steady base. An excuse to carry this on for another week. I’m still working out the form that this thing will take. At the moment, I’m in the stage of showing up each week. You can make the right thing next time.
I would lastly like to point out that any views or comments expressed here are mine and not those of my employer.
Good to read Gordon. Thank you for taking the time out for it.
In India, the government has created some bodies that focus on skills. https://sscgj.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Anuual-Report-2023-24.pdf is the report of the initiative that focuses on green jobs.
Akhil Kishore
GIA Advisors, New Delhi