Team Shoutout – GC Education and Skills AEB Team

Across GC, our colleagues are making big differences within their business units, from engaging clients, customers and learners with climate change to sharing advice and practical tips.

We want to shine the spotlight on some of these colleagues to highlight the fantastic work they are doing in their business units.

Colleagues from GC Education and Skill’s AEB English and Maths team have incorporated climate education into learners’ English speaking assessments.

After completing Carbon Literacy Training, Jenny Brooks made her group pledge for the AEB team to change the focus of the English Speaking and Listening activity to a discussion about the importance of reducing carbon emissions.

The level 1 learners explore climate change through videos and independent research and then prepare for an assessed discussion around the topic. Level 2 learners complete their carbon footprint using the WWF’s calculator and then prepare for an assessed discussion to answer the question ‘How can I/we reduce our carbon footprint and why is it important?’

Using statistics provided by the Carbon Literacy Project, the team estimated that following the sessions and the knowledge the learner gains from researching, each learner will save between 0.65 - 1.95 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e).
50 learners have completed the programme since January, giving an estimated carbon saving of 65 tCO2e.

Jenny said: "We’ve had some learners who knew nothing about climate change and carbon footprints at the beginning who are now confident enough to contribute to discussions around reducing their carbon footprint and are making real and committed changes in their own lives, as well as, hopefully, spreading the word.

"I’ve always been a bit of an eco-warrior; in primary school we learned about waste and global warming which awakened a life-long passion. My mum is also a green zealot and has for many years been my mentor, coming up with ways to recycle and upcycle, for example, 15 years ago, we were knitting plastic bags into dish clothes and making pots for plants from woven plastic bags and empty bottles. We’ve always preferred to make and grow, rather than buy.

"Having children compels one to reflect on what kind of planet we’re leaving them, and in turn, they, and their children. What sort of world will future generations inherit if we don’t take steps to curb pollution? For me, teaching our children that it matters is the most fundamental step.

"Getting other colleagues on board was relatively easy as it wasn’t a subject they had already tested and seemed open to the idea of a greener theme. We were also keen to make distinctions between the level 1 and level 2 activities, so progressing learners wouldn’t repeat the same topics, adding to their learning experience and keeping the subjects relevant and thought-provoking."

If you're having a positive impact in your business unit relating to sustainability, we would love to shout about your achievements. Please get in touch communications@growthco.uk