Embedding sustainability into the curriculum

The education sector, with its ability to transform thought and influence change, is key to the implementation of sustainability principles throughout society. As highlighted in the Association of College's?report on green colleges, the education sector has the opportunity to?weave sustainability into curriculums, which in turn will support the?development of ‘green?skills’?and progression to ‘green jobs’ across different sectors.

In light of the Department for Education launching its?Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy yesterday,?we wanted to share our insight into 'greening' the curriculum. Over the last year, OCN London has been actively involved in integrating green skills and sustainability units into our core offer, as well as developing stand-alone qualifications.

Embedding green?units into existing qualifications

In the short term, the most effective and efficient way to incorporate sustainability principles across disciplines is to embed units into existing qualifications. OCN London have developed multiple qualifications that combine essential learning and employability units with?sustainability, environmental conservation?and green care units. Examples of qualifications with green units include:

• L2?Award in Nature Based Intervention and Health?introduces the concept of social prescribing to learners who are working in the environmental or outdoors sectors, who have been asked to support ‘green care’ interventions and includes a unit titled ‘?Introduction to Green Care and Nature-Based Interventions’.
• E3?in?Horticultural Skills?includes selection?of green care, including a unit in undertaking a social enterprise project in horticulture and sustainability
• E3?and?L1?Skills for Vocational Studies?include a?selection?of units in sustainability, environmental conservation?and green care
• L1?and?L2?in?Skills for Professions in Horticulture, Environmental and Animal Care?include?environment and conservation pathways?
• L1 Award?and?Certificate?in Skills for Professions in Construction and Engineering?which includes a range of units in sustainability and environmental awareness
• L2 Award?and?Certificate?in Skills for Professions in Business Administration and Finance?which includes?a unit titled ‘Supporting sustainability in the office environment'.

Progress with Access to HE Diplomas

• The new?Access to HE Diploma in Environmental Science?is equipped with?units?covering topics such as?environmental management, oceanography, sustainable futures and population dynamics.?HE progression routes from this Diploma include conservation science, ecology, environmental biology, environmental science, environmental science and management, geology, global development, wildlife conservation, and a wide range of combined and related degrees.
• The?Access to HE Diploma in Fashion Studies?has a new unit in?sustainable fashion?that can help learners understand the key debates around sustainable fashion -?ethical fashion, working conditions, origin of garment production, sustainable materials, recycle and reuse, fast fashion.
• The?Access to HE Diploma in Science?is equipped with?environmental science units?that can help learners prepare for further study and work in areas such as?ecology, conservation and marine biology.??

Click here to view the full list of qualifications with green units

Stand-alone green qualifications

Stand-alone qualifications have been developed specifically in ‘green’ topic areas.?The qualifications aim to provide learners with knowledge and understanding in the basic principles of sustainability and environmental impacts. They introduce learners to key issues and raise awareness of the topic and their role in helping make sustainable choices, thereby helping them to develop basic green skills required for jobs and a career in the green sector.

Qualification topics include:

1. Delivering a Sustainability Project
2. Investigating an Environmental Issue
3. Exploring Careers in the Green Industries?

Webinar on embedding sustainability into your curriculum

We would?love to talk more about how we can work with centres to provide high-quality climate change and sustainability education. We have scheduled a webinar on?Qualifications with Green Units?for?May 5th?specifically for this purpose.?You can find out more about the webinar here:?https://bit.ly/3rGULZV