“Better for the planet and the bottom line” – Journey to Net Zero unlocks Greater Manchester's green potential

A fully-funded training programme available to every working person in Greater Manchester is accelerating the region's ambitions to be carbon neutral by 2038.

With government targeting a reduction in emissions by 78 per cent by 2035, the Low Carbon Skills: Journey to Net Zero programme helps people to better understand the environmental challenge in their workplaces, empowering them to begin or progress their net zero journeys and create a clear and strategic plan for achieving those ambitions.

Delivered by Greater Manchester-headquartered social enterprise The Growth Company, the course helps participants to understand key net zero terms and the risks and opportunities for business.

Catriona Watson, Programme Manager - Net Zero Training at the GC Business Growth Hub, said: "Organisations across Greater Manchester are starting to reckon with the environmental challenge we're all facing and the role that they can play in adapting their own practices for the benefit of us all.

"Our intention is that the people undertaking this training will be able to become environmental ambassadors within their own businesses and lead from the front."

Manchester-headquartered textiles producer Thomas Kneale supplies bedroom, bathroom and household textiles and undertook the Journey to Net Zero programme in July 2021.

Since completing the programme, the company has achieved a reduction to date of several tonnes of CO2e per annum. The replacement of an old boiler with a modern, combi model is saving 2.3 tonnes of CO2e every year.

In April 2023, the company was recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category.

The course consists of 21 CPD hours of guided training across seven separate units. Participants also have the opportunity to gain a Level 3 accreditation in Low Carbon Skills: Journey to Net Zero. Learners can take part in person at the Green Skills Academy in Trafford Park, fully online or a hybrid of the two.

Watson added: "By providing a wealth of training as well as an extremely detailed bespoke action plan for their businesses, our learners will be supported to make the necessary changes to help embrace practices that are better for the planet and the bottom line."

Each learner leaves with a carbon calculator workbook to implement what they have learned and put into practice with their business. Further support is also available through The Growth Company, including access to a local green tech supplier marketplace.

Llyr Roberts, Sustainability Officer at Onward Homes, undertook the training in March 2023.

About the course, he said: “For me, the biggest takeaway was how relevant to each organisation the course was made, discussing what the information you were giving us meant specifically to our organisation was really helpful in identifying the correct steps for us.

“The workbook provided is also really helpful as it provides you with a template to start taking the first steps in calculating your emissions. We have started setting our initial boundaries and considering who within the business we need to start engaging in order to start collecting data.”

The course is being run in partnership with Bee Net Zero, a Greater Manchester-wide initiative that aims to make the city region the easiest place to be a net zero organisation. Bee Net Zero consists of five pillars of activity: Training & Awareness; Technical Support; Collaboration; Acceleration and Programme Management.

Learners can work for charities, third-sector organisations and local authorities. There's also no limit on the number of learners each organisation can send.

Hayley Hulme, managing director of Starts With You, has also undertaken the course.

She said: “The course was thorough, accessible and practical. As well as providing knowledge it also provided a useful tool to calculate your footprint and we benefitted from some really helpful post completion support with access to ongoing advice, guidance and encouragement.

“Since completing the course we have calculated our carbon footprint so we can now put in place a reduction strategy. We have also upskilled some internal colleagues and put processes in place to ensure data is captured to help monitor our impact.”

Journey to Net Zero is part of the ‘Accelerating Net Zero Opportunities’ programme. To support individuals, prepare for the opportunities and challenges presented by the global transition to a net zero economy, other fully funded courses include:

• IMI Level 3 Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Repair and Replacement
• Level 3 Domestic Retrofit
• Digital and Social Marketing

Visit the GC Education and Skills website to find out more.