CEME are delighted to have received a grant of £40,000 for our Green Skills Showcase for teachers, parents and children living in the boroughs of Havering, Thurrock, Barking and Dagenham. The programme, run in partnership with Local London, the Teacher and parent interventions have been designed to help address the gap in teacher awareness of current and emerging green jobs in the area. Educators often lack familiarity with local green career opportunities and effective strategies for integrating them into their curriculum. By equipping teachers with knowledge and practical tools, we aim to empower them to better support students and raise awareness of exciting careers and their routes and pathways. We are offering three Green Skills Teacher Interventions, two in March and one in September. These events will be held at CEME and will include:
- Experts from local green businesses within Barking and Dagenham and Havering will highlight the range of current and emerging Green STEM careers available in the area.
- Interactive workshops will equip teachers with strategies for incorporating green themes and projects into their existing curriculum.
- Provide Teachers with materials to understand the pathways needed for these careers and how to incorporate them into different subjects.
- Information will be provided to Schools to give to parents to raise awareness of current and emerging green job opportunities and the skills needed to help inform their children’s future choices.
The grant was awarded by the Thames Freeport part of a £1.2 million package to support “Skills for the Future”
The funding will significantly enhance workforce development and upskilling initiatives in the region, driving economic growth and preparing the local workforce to meet the demands of the rapidly expanding Freeport.
The Thames Freeport Community Skills Fund was established as part of Thames Freeport’s ongoing commitment to economic regeneration within the region. It aims to create a highly skilled workforce capable of seizing new opportunities within the Freeport zone.
Martin Whitely, CEO at Thames Freeport outlined that these funds were part of a wider strategic investment for the freeport and the huge potential. He stated that: “skills projects support the wider ambitions to build opportunities for sustainable, employment led, and inclusive 21st century city.
The Freeport has a mission to create inward investment and new high-quality jobs that directly benefit the local community”
Other local organisations receiving funding include:
- London Borough of Barking and Dagenham – Developing and delivering logistics in Barking and Dagenham and construction entry level
- Local London Skills Providers Network c/o LSEC – Green Skills Project Funding- micro credentials and addressing tutor shortages
- New City College – Food and Drink Engineering and Sustainability in Thames Freeport
- USP College – Creating a Logistics & International Supply Chain (skills and curriculum) to support Ports
- Southeast Institute of Technology with regional Institutes of Technology New Hydrogen Skills training courses
- CU London – Bootcamp for Power Electronics Fundamentals, Electric Motor Fundamentals and Battery Assembly
- One Community Development Trust – Head start to Employment Project Thurrock CVS – Developing Strategy and leadership capacity within the voluntary sector
- Young Enterprise – Delivery of Future Pathways to employment
Lucy Groen Head of Partnerships and Skills at CEME said “This funding is a game-changer for our green skills programme. It will enable us to reach more students, teachers, and parents, and provide them with the tools they need to succeed in the growing green economy. Green skills education is essential for preparing our young people for the future. By equipping teachers with the resources they need, we can inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. Our partnership with Thames Freeport is a testament to their commitment to sustainable economic development. This funding will help us create a highly skilled workforce that can drive innovation and growth in the region.”
Matt Hamnett, Non Executive Director, Thames Freeport said. “To realise our high ambition for the freeport we must invest in skills and training – both working with business to ensure that we create the talent pipeline they need to succeed, and with communities to ensure that through the Freeport we change lives. This first round of investment demonstrates the Freeport’s potential, and determination to deliver real social and economic impact”.
