English college membership body and college unions sign agreement for a just transition to a net zero future

The agreement lays out a local strategy for colleges to work towards a more sustainable future with a focus on playing a bigger role in the green economy and new skills.  

The framework highlights that: 

• Colleges are a catalyst for change and have important roles to play in the future green economy. 

• As anchor institutions, colleges can play a key role to influence, convene, collaborate and support both existing and emerging sectors, employers and communities.

• The college workforce needs to have the resources and knowledge to train those moving into new and developing growth sectors. 

The framework was developed jointly by AoC and college trade unions (UCU, Unite, GMB, NEU and Unison), as part of a groundbreaking just transition climate and sustainability element of the unions 2023/24 pay claim. 

The unions and AoC are now asking individual colleges to adopt the framework, a key aspect of which is the recognition of the role that staff and trade union members play in progressing this work within colleges, and local communities. So far five English colleges have agreed to pilot the framework.

AoC and college unions have committed to continue to work together and support colleges work towards a just transition and achieve a secure future for their staff in a net-zero future. 

University and College Union general secretary Jo Grady said: "We welcome this agreement after a long campaign to promote the importance of further education colleges in the green economy as part of efforts to develop skills in this area. College employers must now ensure that their workforce has the resources and knowledge to train those moving into these new and developing growth sectors." 

Ian Munro, Director for Sustainability, Health and Care, Association of Colleges, said: "We are proud to have worked alongside college trade unions as part of the campaign to boost the green economy and the involvement of colleges across England. Colleges and their staff are a vital part of the move towards a just transition, and we look forward to continuing this collaborative partnership with the unions and colleges to embed this framework in the coming years." 

UNISON head of education Mike Short said: "Further education is crucial in delivering the skills needed to meet the government's growth ambitions. Colleges also have an important role to play in the move to a greener economy, yet far too little is being done to prepare for that shift. This framework is an important step for the sector and individual institutions in ensuring staff are at the heart of a just transition."