Top 10 Green Careers: Working to support the planet
Looking for a career that has a positive impact on the planet? Take a look at our top 10 Green Careers.
This week, we celebrate Earth Day, and the theme for 2025 is ‘Our Power, Our Planet’. As our professional lives expand to encompass an increased awareness of our planet’s needs and challenges, the scope for Green Careers continues to grow. At Capital City College (CCC), our Green Skills Academy offers a range of Green courses providing opportunities for positive impact.
If you’re interested in working to create a greener future and help communities and organisations to reach sustainability goals, then why not consider one of our top 10 recommended Green Careers?
Recycling Officer
We all know we should recycle, but how can we make sure we’re doing as much as we can? Recycling officers help to plan, develop and run recycling schemes policies within the community, including dealing with budgets, contacts and funding applications. They are often employed by local authorities to support policies centred around waste reduction and waste management. Recycling officers engage with media outlets and deliver educational programmes to promote activities which help people to recycle more.
To do this role, you’ll need strong leadership skills and the ability to engage and work with others. You’ll need some knowledge of manufacturing processes as well as business management skills.
Relevant courses include:
Sustainability Officer
Sustainability needs to be more than just a buzzword – here’s a role that puts sustainable practices front and centre!
An increasing number of organisations are taking on sustainability officers (also known as corporate responsibility administrators) whose role involves embedding sustainability into everyday actions and processes. Sustainability officers support teams across an organisation in developing and implementing environmental policies and best practices. They help to track progress towards specific targets while engaging internal departments and partners to maximise involvement in green initiatives and sustainability plans.
In this role, you’ll need to have strong leadership skills as well as the ability to use your initiative and generate new ideas. You’ll be working to engage a broad variety of people across an organisation, so strong written and verbal skills and a collaborative mindset are essential.
Relevant courses include:
- Green Skills, Sustainability and Careers – Introduction (Green Skills Academy)
- Environmental Science – A Level (AQA)
Ecologist
Interested in plants and animals? Why not consider becoming an ecologist? The role of an ecologist centres around studying the relations between plants, animals and the environment in order to protect and restore natural habitats. Ecologists conduct surveys on plants, animals and environmental conditions so that they can gather and analyse essential data. They research how human activities such as building and farming impact land and waterways. Ecologists are often called upon by landowners and developers to share their insight and expertise and monitor species in specific areas while also advising on conservation management plans.
Relevant courses include:
- Green Skills, Sustainability and Careers – Introduction (Green Skills Academy)
- Environmental Science – A Level (AQA)
- Biology courses
Environmental Scientist
Moving on from the role of ecologist, we step into the role of the Environmental scientist. This profession focuses on studying the natural world to find out the best ways to protect it. Environmental scientists look at how plants, animals and other organisms are affected by the environment around them while also studying external factors such as pollutants. They use their data and observations to develop their understanding of the complex interactions within various ecosystems, and this enables them to develop and deliver specialist advice and provide information for those developing policies. To become an environmental scientist, you’ll need good attention to detail and strong analytical skills as well as the ability to solve problems.
Relevant courses include:
Countryside Ranger
If you thrive in the great outdoors and have strong people skills, this may be the job for you. Countryside rangers are in charge of looking after public green spaces, including woodlands and animal habitats. It’s quite a hands-on role that involves monitoring sites and reporting findings relating to wildlife and habitats, as well as working to protect the plant and animal life within certain areas. Countryside rangers work with the public, running guided walks and delivering talks to increase engagement in conservation projects and improve education within the community.
To do this role, you’ll need a good understanding of biology and geography as well as the ability to use your own initiative. As this role involves dealing with members of the public, strong communication skills are also important.
Relevant courses include:
Climatologist
Have you ever wondered why the weather does what it does? Climatologists (also known as climate scientists) study how climates have developed or changed over time to create a picture of how things might affect the planet in the future. They gather data from the land, sea and air to create models which simulate the effect of climate change. Their work can involve looking for ways to tackle climate change as well as advising those involved in making policies. Climatologists need a good understanding of maths and geography, as well as science skills.
Relevant courses include:
- Geography – A Level (Edexcel)
- Environmental Science – A Level (AQA)
- Maths or Statistics courses
- Science courses
Agronomist
Farming is a tough gig, but agronomists use their skills to provide valuable expertise and support to those growing our much-needed crops. Also known as crop scientists or agricultural consultants, Agronomists advise farmers on how to improve the production and quality of crops. They do this by studying soil health and fertilisers, along with other factors which influence crop growth. Agronomists also create organic, chemical and biological treatment plans and carry out field trials to improve the production and quality of crops in a way that is both sustainable and efficient.
To become an Agronomist, you’ll need strong science skills as well as the ability to think analytically and solve problems.
Relevant courses include:
Heat Pump Technician
Move over, Mario, the next generation of plumbers are also heat pump technicians. These specialist technicians are responsible for installing and maintaining zero-carbon systems, which provide central heating and hot water systems to buildings. This role involves finding and fixing faults and repairing low-carbon systems while following health and safety requirements. Heat pump technicians are also called upon to decommission outgoing systems for heating and hot water before installing new ones. They support customers in switching to more energy-efficient systems by walking them through how they operate.
You’ll need a variety of technical and interpersonal skills to do this role. As well as knowledge of maths and construction, you’ll need to be comfortable using a range of tools to maintain and repair machines. Some people find their way into this role after training to be a gas service technician, heating engineer or plumber. You can read our blog to find out more about how to become a plumber in the UK.
Relevant courses include:
Renewable Energy Engineer
To embrace renewable energies such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power, we need a strong workforce of engineers to design, develop and maintain renewable energy systems. A renewable energy engineer explores how we harness renewable energy sources, as well as conducts studies and trials relating to specific sites. The role can include designing power plants and equipment, and increasing the efficiency of existing tools.
Renewable energy engineers may also be called upon to advise companies on the best way to transition away from fossil fuels. To do this role, you’ll need knowledge of engineering, science, technology and maths, as well as analytical and reasoning skills.
Relevant courses include:
- Engineering courses
- Solar Energy – Introduction (Green Skills Academy)
- Wind Power – Skills Bootcamp for Londoners
- Working at Heights (IRATA Ropes) – Introduction – Skills Bootcamp for Londoners
You can also learn more about how Capital City College Wind Energy courses provide essential industry skills.
Architect
You probably know what an architect does, designing buildings and the surrounding spaces, but have you ever considered the potential of this role as a Green career? Being a green architect involves designing buildings that are highly energy-efficient and follow the most up-to-date sustainability principles to minimise the impact on the environment. By thinking carefully about materials and design principles, a green architect can use their knowledge of building and construction to deliver innovative designs that have the lowest possible environmental footprint.
As well as technical design skills and strong knowledge of construction theories and practices, this role requires a creative and innovative approach, along with detail-driven reasoning skills.
Relevant courses include:
There’s a whole new world of fulfilling jobs to explore within the realm of Green Careers. Take a look at our Green Skills Academy courses, which include a range of free short courses to help you get started.
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