Research reveals gap between employer sustainability and Gen Z expectations

A pioneering new report, "Sustainability in Early Careers," sheds light on the urgent need for clear, values-driven opportunities in the UK’s early careers landscape.

The comprehensive study, developed by Oxford Brookes University in collaboration with .Windō, UN Global Compact Network UK, PRME UK & Ireland Chapter, and a network of university partners, examines the potential for sustainability-oriented careers for the next generation of talent.

The report, which draws from insights from over 200 UK organisations and a series of in-depth interviews, offers an invaluable snapshot of sustainability-related placements, internships, and graduate roles across a wide array of sectors. It highlights a growing demand from students for purpose-driven careers but also uncovers significant gaps in how well employers communicate and define sustainability-related opportunities.

The study aimed to explore:

• The visibility and scale of sustainability-related roles
• The reasons for the lack of explicit sustainability roles
• Employer perceptions of applicant interest in sustainability roles
• Employer views on applicant readiness and skills for sustainability positions
• How employers use career fairs and other channels to promote sustainability roles.

The study finds that sustainability-related roles are often under-communicated and inconsistently integrated into early career paths. While it affirms much employer practice, it also challenges employers in areas where doing better by early careers graduates would in fact help them achieve their stated sustainability goals. 

It suggests that universities need to better address  skills gaps identified by employers into their curricula and career preparation. Collaboration between universities, employers, industry bodies, and students is critical to creating clear, equitable pathways into sustainability careers.

Dr Karen Cripps, Senior Lecturer in Responsible Management and Leadership at Oxford Brookes University and one of the report’s lead authors, said: ”The report aims to increase dialogue across education and business on sustainability skills, and highlight opportunities to work together to enable a truly future-fit workforce. We are fortunate to have worked with so many collaborating partners, and with sustainability leaders who gave their time. We very much encourage anyone interested to get in touch, as part of our ongoing research”.

Windō Co-Founder Oli Coles, an Oxford Brookes graduate, added: “This report reveals that while there is no shortage of ambition on either side, the systems that connect talent with opportunity are not yet fit for purpose. Sustainability-related roles are often under-signposted. Competency frameworks are emerging but unevenly applied. And while many students are ready to act, they are not always supported to do so.”

Download the full report