Free Green Careers Fair and paid opportunities for young people

People in Thanet who want to find out more about opportunities in Thanet’s green and marine sectors are invited to The Future is Green – a public event and careers fair in Ramsgate on Saturday 24 October. 

Co-relate and Discovery Planet are seeking 12 local young people aged 16-24 to help the day run smoothly and make sure the stalls are fun, interactive and informative. The young people will be paid the real Living Wage to support a local organisation with their stand and activities at the event. 

Held at Ramsgate Space in Albert Court, this event follows an industry-focused Green Energy and Innovation Forum that Thanet District Council held in Ramsgate Harbour earlier this month. 

This community-focused event provides an opportunity for everyone to learn more about Ramsgate’s planned Green Campus, have their say, and meet some of the organisations already working for a greener future locally.

As part of this, the Green Careers Fair, supported by London Array, will offer hands-on activities for ages 8 and upwards. Young people will have a chance to see how green energy actually works, get growing and upcycling, and meet locally-based employers at the forefront of sustainability. 

The event is also a chance to find out about paid and unpaid work placements being offered with support from Kent Community Energy. 

Local social enterprises Co-relate and Discovery Planet are behind the full programme of events and activities aimed at helping young people get their first job in the green sector.

Nikki Hildesley, Director at Discovery Planet CIC, said: “We are striving to give young people, from primary through to secondary school age and beyond, real-world experiences that open their eyes to the possibility of different jobs and careers. This community event will celebrate the green organisations already working across Thanet. It will be an opportunity for everyone to discover what a green job actually is, and there are many different varieties!”

Ahead of the Future is Green event, a free Green Energy Experience Day on 17 October is offering up to 16 young people aged 16-24 the chance to learn about wind and solar energy production and the jobs supporting this sector. Starting in Ramsgate, participants will learn about wind power and visit Kent Community Energy’s solar farm near Sittingbourne to discover how solar works and what community energy does for people and nature. Lunch and snacks will be provided.

Michael Bax, managing director of Kent Community Energy, said: “We’re keen to show the potential of solar power in terms of green jobs and opportunities, and hope that the careers fair and solar farm visit will inspire young people to further explore the green energy sector.”

Young people taking part in the programme will also be supported to apply for paid, 6-week job placements and shorter unpaid work placements, all within the green sector. 

Young people can apply to work at the event and join the programme by email to [email protected] with a short statement about themselves and their interest in green careers. 

Co-relate and Discovery Planet will then meet applicants to understand their interests, share more about the programme and get them involved.

More information about The Future Is Green event can be found on Eventbrite.