How degree apprenticeships contribute to Manchester Met’s commitment to sustainability
To mark our 200th anniversary, we’re showcasing our successes and the incredible work we’re doing to build a better future for all, including our commitment to sustainability. For the last decade we’ve been a top three sustainable university in the People and Planet University League, delivering impact on a local, national and international scale.
Sustainability is at the core of what we do here at Manchester Met. We are passionate about making a positive difference to our people and planet, and as part of this we are committed to helping Manchester become net zero by 2038.
Our new higher apprenticeship Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner (CRSP), focuses on helping businesses drive their net zero ambitions, providing employers with the skills and knowledge their organisation needs to address climate change challenges and sustainability goals whilst making an impact in the community.
In recognition of the critical role education and skills play in responding to climate change, this gold-standard apprenticeship has been selected as one of six green apprenticeships in honour of King Charles’ coronation, and we are proud to be the first university in the North West to offer this programme. This higher apprenticeship enables apprentices to act as a social conscience for the organisation, enabling the business to play a vital role in boosting the green industry and meet the growing demand for green skills across all sectors. Delivered as part of the curriculum, apprentices on this programme also gain Carbon Literacy training.
Carbon Literacy is a large-scale climate change education programme and we’ve been a key partner from the very beginning. In line with our Leadership in Sustainability Strategy 2022-26, we are proud to be a bronze-accredited carbon literate organisation, having pledged to integrate Carbon Literacy training across all our courses by 2026. Carbon Literacy training provides an overview of climate change, including the science behind it, its drivers and impacts, and an understanding of the actions required by individuals, communities, and organisations to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Developing leaders in sustainability extends beyond our Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner apprentices. Rob McCullock, one of our Chartered Manager Fast-track Degree Apprenticeship graduates at Amazon, is a prime example of an apprentice driving meaningful change in this area.
Rob has applied key principles from the sustainability modules of the programme to make real impact within his organisation. As a passionate advocate for sustainability at Amazon, he has improved waste management processes, increased recycling rates, and expanded the range of items being recycled at the second largest Amazon site in the UK. His efforts have resulted in the site moving from ranking in the bottom five for sustainability practices to being amongst the top five sites in the UK.
Rob’s achievements are a prime example of how degree apprenticeships at Manchester Met empower individuals to drive meaningful change in the organisations. This aligns with our broader mission of delivering education and research with real-world impact, by working with industry, government, and the community to drive sustainable change. Whether you need support in solving a low-carbon challenge with research consultancy, creating a new innovative, energy-efficient product, or want to diversify and train your workforce with green skills, we have the business services experience and expertise to help you achieve your sustainability goals.
Find out what’s possible when you collaborate with Manchester Met.
If you’re interested in upskilling your workforce with the green skills needed to tackle sustainability goals and net zero ambitions, fill out our contact form, phone us on 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday) or email [email protected].
We know that there is much more to do to play our part in tackling the environmental and societal challenges facing our world. That’s why we’re committed to using our research power to make progress for our future and aim to be a beacon of sustainable development practice by 2030.
Discover more about what we’re doing as a top three sustainable university.
