skills for sustainability
DESCRIPTION
Skills for Sustainability. Professor Stephen Martin Centre for Complexity & Change , The Open University & University of Worcester, . Setting the Context…. HEFCE will signal to the university sector that ESD requires development. This will feature in the grant settlement process. (2003). - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Skills for Sustainability
Professor Stephen MartinCentre for Complexity & Change, The Open University & University of Worcester,
Setting the Context…
HEFCE will signal to the university sector that ESD requires development. This will feature in the grant settlement process.
(2003)
Context…
To maintain a more competitive economy…we will need…to make sustainability literacy a core competency for professional graduates.
(2005)
Context…Sustainable development – meeting the needs of present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs – is a defining challenge of the twenty first century. If the nation is to play its full part in challenging global poverty and combating environmental problems like climate change it is imperative that everyone in this country develops the skills of sustainable living and working. That means placing sustainable development at the heart of skills provision, ensuring that it is a fundamental goal of our economic and social progress.
(Leitch Implementation Plan, 2007)
Sustainability Literate Leaders?
Discuss…
Fit of Porritt pique..
“ I find all this so depressing that I now hate having to comment on it…For five years the Government’s performance has been rubbish, systematic hypocrisy, lecturing everybody else but barely lifting a finger itself just doesn’t make any sense.”
But what is sustainability literacy?
How is it defined?
How can it be developed in the university curriculum?
Sustainability Literacy: Skills, Knowledge & Attributes
Environmental, social & economic context of each discipline Key principles of sustainable development Non-reductionist problem-solving skills Creative & holistic thinking Personal & professional self-reflection Understand & adopt ethical values Initiate & sustain transformative actions Participate in interdisciplinary teams Initiate & manage change
Towards Sustainability LiteracyInterdisciplinary and holistic: embedded in the whole curriculum, not as a separate subject;
Values-driven: sharing the values and principles underpinning sustainable development;
Critical thinking and problem solving: leading to confidence in addressing the challenges of sustainable development;
Multi-method: word, art, drama, debate, experience, … different pedagogies which model the processes;
Participatory decision-making: learners participate in decisions on how they are to learn;
Locally relevant: addressing local as well as global issues, and using the language(s) which learners most commonly use.
Sustainability Skills Matrix for Built Environment
www.constructionskills.net/pdf/aboutus/sustainabledevelopment/skillsmatrix.pdf
Skills for Sustainabilityand Employability
Student Skills for Who and for What?
Students in Universities/ College
HEFCELSCDIUS
LeitchEganSSCs
Sustainably responsible students
Sustainably responsibleservices/ products
Students for Society(Lifestyle)
Sustainablelow carboncommunities
GovtDEFRAP and P
Students for Employers(Workstyle)
Some key questionsDo universities/colleges, students, employers and
society have the same interests in sustainability?Same, Different, Converging, Diverging?
What is the role of HE and FE education in terms of sustainability and employability?Follow, Lead, Transform?
What Learning for Sustainability?
Many contexts - Social, intellectual, cultural, technological, manual, managerial, political
Many levels - personal – peer - family – community- corporate – national - global
Competencies – able to know, do, think and believe
With a particular focus eg:Stewardship – Interrelationship - EntrepreneurshipCitizenship – Partnership – Fellowship
Competent Employee?
What skills for Sustainability?
Employability Skills for: Communication Team work Problem-solving Initiative and creativity Self-management Planning and organising Learning Technology
What Values for Sustainability?
Togetherness - unity, teamwork, cooperationOneness – holistic, part of not apart from natureHealthiness – concern for wellbeing of people and nature, balanced
lifestyle, Healthy planet and healthy peopleRespectfulness – respect for the diversity of people and natureFairness – equity, tolerance, satisfaction with enough not moreTruthfulness – honesty, constant search for knowledge, need for
evidence, critical thinking
Carefulness, Goodness, Hopefulness, Happiness, Friendliness, Trustworthiness, Competitiveness etc
Key question
What makes a student “competent” or “literate” about sustainability? Knowledge, Skills, Values, Competencies?
What is the evidence for more responsible students?
There is mounting evidence and media coverage that students want to work for ethical employers who are environmentally and socially responsible.
Considered the social and environmental ethics of an employer before making a career choice.Said that the social and environmental responsibility of the employer was not the main deciding factor, but a differentiating one in their choice of job. Mistrusted the claims of employers about their social and environmental responsibilities. Are concerned about the preparation for their employment provided by universities and believed that sustainable development and corporate social responsibility (CSR) should be taught more at universities.
Who influences graduate employability?
What is the evidence for more employer demand?
The trend to more responsible employers is affecting the graduate job market and the demand for more particular competencies from recent graduate recruits.
Considered the social/environmental ethics, values and experience of university students as part of their graduate recruitment.
Provided specialist induction and training for graduate recruits on their social and environmental responsibilities.
Needed graduate recruits with specific competencies to support their social and environmental responsibilities.
What/who drives employers to be sustainable?
Employable Graduates for Responsible Employers
www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/learning/sustainability
What helps students learn for sustainability and employability?
Management and Learning that values:
Behaviour change and organisational change - PsychologyCultural change driven by social and environmental responsibilityDepartments that collaborate – Interdisciplinary, TeamworkingDialogue and communication – Social learningParticipation by stakeholders – Social learningThinking critically and Thinking of the links – Systems ThinkingSustainable lifestyles, workstyles and work-life balanceLocal links with global awarenessDeveloping and learning with employers and communities
Who can Champion C – Change?
Students in Universities/ CollegesCampus
Curriculum
Community
Students for Employers(Workstyle)Culture
Careers
Competencies
Sustainably responsible students
Sustainably responsibleservices/ products
Student Competencies for Sustainability and Employability
Students for Society(Lifestyle)
Citizens
Consumers
Carers
Sustainablelow carboncommunities
Volunteering Work Experience
EAUC Members can be the Catalytic Converters for the C-Change
Key question for EAUC members
How can EAUC members and campus management most effectively help students learn about sustainability?As Champions, Go-Betweens, Leaders?Through estate staff, students, academics, managers?
eauc PresentationAndrew BrownManaging DirectorChurngold Construction Ltd
My Industry - Construction
Responsible for 8% of GDP Employs 2.25 million people Our buildings are responsible for 20% of
CO2 output Generates the largest proportion of
waste taken to landfill 95% of construction companies employ
less than 5 people Produces some memorable schemes
Pushing for Change
Egan Report called for Integrated teams Young graduates to act as ambassadors IiP to be recognised by 50% of employers
Stern Report argued the need to Spend 1% of GDP now to avoid a 20%
reduction in world output as a result of climate change
Latest being the 2012 Construction Commitments
2012 Construction Commitments Procurement & Integration Commitment to People Client Leadership Sustainability Design Quality Health & Safety
But I have a real fear
Sustainability and CSR are becoming subjects in their own right
At its worst relegated to Tick Boxes and Eco Bling
The argument for undertaking your business in a more sustainable and responsible way is actually a no brainer
Churngold and Sustainability
Thinking Globally but acting locally Local people using local resources locally Or put another way
More time in bed Waiting less for delivers Getting home earlier
However, it needs greater involvement and effort
Leading to greater efficiency and satisfaction
Which leads to improved margin
Churngold and CSR
Introduced Life Assurance and Pensions for all employees
Invested heavily in training and improved Health and Safety
Working alongside local stakeholders However, it needs greater involvement
and effort Leading to greater efficiency and
satisfaction Which leads to improved margin
What am I asking for
Sustainability and CSR taught in primary schools alongside the 3R’s as basic life tools
The correct way of living would be automatic
Schools to continue this integrated thinking and learning
Colleges to develop this integration further and continue to push the boundaries by research
We all live happily ever after, with some of us just a little bit richer than others
eauc PresentationAndrew BrownManaging DirectorChurngold Construction Ltd