Net Zero, digital transformation, interdisciplinary working: all the emerging circumstances of the next decade are fundamentally interwoven with skills, and the need for complex and urgent upskilling.

This panel discussion will present expert perspectives on the skills needed for the future, what we can do to support upskilling, and how skills will change in the environmental workforce. Presentations will cover the changing skills mix in the environment sector, the importance of net zero skills, and perspectives from education and recruitment on the skills we will need for the future.

Whether you're interested in finding out more about the skills you need to set yourself apart, or if you're a manager looking to ensure that your team has the skills it needs, this discussion has something for everyone, especially as upskilling becomes a critical challenge for this critical decade for the environment sector.

This panel discussion is part of the IES's Future of ES23 horizon scanning and foresight project, bringing together environmental experts to reflect on the future of the environmental sciences.

Agenda

• 12.00 - 12.05: Introduction
• 12.05 - 13.00: Presentations:
  • Skills to deliver on the net zero agenda
  • Skills for the environmental scientists of the future
  • Trends and opportunities in the environment and sustainability sector – a recruiter’s perspective
  • The importance of professional registration in addressing the climate and environmental emergencies
• 13.00 - 13.25: Q&A and panel discussion
• 13.25 - 13.30: Summary

Speakers

Rebecca Finbow

Rebecca Finbow is responsible for managing the IES’s growing education and continuous professional development (CPD) portfolio, including the university accreditation scheme, and student and early career membership support.

She has an MSc in Environment & Development and a BA in Geography, both from the University of Manchester. Rebecca is passionate about environmental education and has worked in sustainability roles in industry and third sector, and more recently in education, and therefore brings to the role a wealth of experience and knowledge that will support this growing area of the IES. 

Paul Gosling

Paul Gosling is a specialist recruiter in the environment and sustainability sector with over 25 years’ experience. Paul joined Hays in 2021 and leads a team of industry experts across the UK who specialise in sustainability recruitment within the emerging areas of sustainable buildings, the circular economy, environmental roles, and corporate sustainability.

Paul started recruiting into the sector in 1995 after finishing his BSc in Environmental Science and over the last 20+ years has worked with thousands of individuals and hundreds of companies to support their growth and development in this vibrant, dynamic and important sector. During this time, Paul has built a wealth of knowledge and experience and have become recognised as a leading expert on overcoming the recruitment challenges facing the environment and sustainability sector.

Emma Wilcox

Emma Wilcox has led the Society for the Environment as CEO since July 2015 championing the importance of professional registration for anyone working in sustainability.  

Emma’s career has spanned knowledge transfer, training, and skills across various technical disciplines establishing the Energy and Efficiency Industrial Partnership and playing critical roles in creating two Skills Academies.  

Emma is a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of IOM3 as well as a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business Programme. 
As well as the past Chair of the IOM3 Sustainability Development Group (SDG), Emma is a member of the UK Government’s Green Apprenticeships Advisory Panel (GAAP) and a Board Member of the Future Water Association.   

Emma is passionate about sustainable development, noting that ‘many of the environmental challenges we face stem from our overuse of materials.

Hayley Warrens

Hayley Warrens is the Climate Change & Energy Manager at Transport for Wales where she is the strategic lead for energy and carbon management, and climate risk and resilience, advocating the use of an evidence-based and systems-thinking approach to inform deliverable outcomes. 

Hayley is a qualified teacher and left to pursue a career as an Environmental Scientist, having gained Chartered Environmentalist status after three years in the industry. Hayley is a member of the Institution of Environmental Sciences and is passionate about ensuring that consideration of climate change is embedded into everything we do at TfW.

Hayley will be drawing on her experience to highlight what future skills are needed to successfully deliver on the net zero agenda at a strategic level, in addition to addressing the burdening issue of climate resilience.