New Playbook Calls for “Green Mindset” to Be Embedded Across All FE and Skills Provision

Landmark report from Education Training Foundation, EAUC and FE News sets out practical roadmap to make sustainability the default lens for sector decisions, authored by Charlotte Bonner (EAUC) and Vikki Smith (ETF)

The Green Mindset Collective Report and Action focused Playbook, produced by the Education Training Foundation (ETF) and EAUC in partnership with FE News, captures insights from senior leaders who convened on 30 October 2025 at The Manchester Deansgate Hotel. Skills Minister Jacqui Smith addressed attendees via video, followed by discussions with Toby Perkins MP and sector leaders, including representatives from Skills England, QAA, SOS, Edge Foundation and Kirklees College.

The report, authored by Charlotte Bonner of EAUC and Dr Vikki Smith of ETF, formulates the Collective’s findings into actionable guidance for every part of the FE and skills ecosystem.

Dr Vikki Smith, Executive Director of Education and Standards at ETF said:

“It’s clear that sustainability cannot be an optional extra: it has to be the foundation of what everyone in the Further Education and skills sector does. All of us have the power to shape a greener, fairer future, and together we can turn ambition into action, so I’m delighted that the Green Mindsets Collective turns the findings of the event – from shared themes to tensions to opportunities – into a playbook and separate provocation pack into ready-to-use briefs that we can all use for meetings, CPD and planning. In this way, together we can make the mindset shifts we need; and prioritise actions at each of an individual, institutional and system level.”

Charlotte Bonner, Chief Executive at EAUC said:

“The FE and skills sector is one that delivers: locally, collaboratively and with enormous commitment. People join the sector because they care about others and want to make a difference. A green mindset is about just that: equipping every learner for their future and helping colleges and training providers act in line with their values. The outputs of the Green Mindset Collective event give providers, employers and partners a simple way to move from intent to impact, building momentum through small steps and shared effort. EAUC is proud to help convene and support this work – helping people navigate what’s possible and how to make meaningful steps to ensure how we teach, lead and operate is good for both people and planet.”

Gavin O’Meara, CEO and Founder of FE News said:

“The Green Mindset is absolutely key for everyone in FE and Skills, not just reserved for ‘tree huggers’ (like me), but the entire FE and Skills sector and we have this amazing opportunity to be the catalyst for positive change with our colleagues, our learners, our clients and communities. From place based Colleges and ITPs, making impactful change in their local communities, to suppliers with a Green Mindset, to the entire sector making impactful change in industries ranging from hairdressing to accountancy, the FE and Skills sector has this amazing opportunity to be changemakers to the many, to be that 3% that positively impacts the 85%. So what a privilege to be a part of this.

“The theory of the Collective, is that if you meet the same people, say the same things and create the same reports, you need to expect the same outcome. Wow, Vikki and Charlotte worked their socks off and created not just a report, but a playbook. This is there as a usable and working document for the entire FE and Skills sector to encourage positive change and adapt it to their own needs. I love it and thank you to everyone who rolled their sleeves up at the Collective to share their ideas and solutions. I can’t wait to see what the FE and Skills sector does next with the Green Mindset Collective playbook. It is exciting!”

All Skills Are Green Skills

The report’s central message is clear: all skills are green skills. Whether in construction, digital, care or catering, every role and every course has a part to play in building an economy that works for people and planet. The Playbook argues that sustainability must move from isolated initiatives to become “the default lens” for curriculum design, institutional operations and local partnerships.

Key findings include:

• Culture before projects: Sustainability should show up in everyday routines, meeting questions and KPIs, not just new funding bids
• Empower the 3%: A small, confident, visible minority of “changemakers” can influence 85% of an organisation if properly supported
• System coherence needed: Fragmented signals across funding, inspection and standards are slowing delivery; aligned expectations would enable faster action
• Equity is integral: Sustainability without social justice is incomplete; co-design with diverse learners must be the norm
• Modular, stackable provision: Demand-led models, including weekend and intensive delivery, can move now within existing frameworks

Practical Tools for Immediate Action

Accompanying the Playbook is a Provocations Pack designed for teams to use in 25-40 minute sessions. The pack provides discussion prompts, 30-day and 90-day action plans, and simple measures for tracking progress across five stakeholder groups: FE and skills providers, awarding organisations, employers and SMEs, combined authorities and local skills groups, and regulators and sector agencies.

Dr Katerina Kolyva, Chief Executive Officer of ETF, writes in the Playbook’s foreword:

“All skills are green skills, and all of us have a role to play. As the professional body for the sector, ETF is committed to supporting this journey through our Professional Standards, CPD offer, and our work to strengthen leadership, teaching and organisational development across FE and skills.”

Next Steps

The three partner organisations have committed to specific actions:

ETF will embed sustainability in Professional Standards, QTLS and ATS; offer relevant CPD, including a prospective Green CPD Framework; and explore recognition mechanisms for individual and organisational sustainability practice.

EAUC will promote whole-organisation approaches; provide tools, programmes and resources; convene communities of practice; and work with government and sector bodies to inform policy.

FE News will continue reporting on sustainability across the sector, and champion campaigns recognising all skills as green skills.

What will you do?

The Green Mindset Collective Report Playbook and Provocations Pack are now available!

Sector Reaction:

Mandy Crawford Lee, Chief Executive of University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) said:

“UVAC, as the membership body that champion skills focused higher education, argues for a greater integration of sustainable development into higher education, skills and work-based learning policy and practice, and specifically in relation to creating inclusive workplaces, promoting social mobility, a balanced approach to productivity, health and well-being and embedding educational approaches and methods which promote equalities in the educational supply chain. This report and playbook launch is a call to all stakeholders to raise the game of sustainability and sustainable development in the policy and practice sphere of higher education, skills and work-based learning.”

Rob Nitsch, Chief Executive of the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) said:

“In this day and age all leaders have a responsibility to engage with the Green Agenda and inspire those they oversee to do likewise.  I look forward to seeing how we can make this package help.”

Olly Newton, Executive Director from the Edge Foundation said:

“This was a fantastic collaborative event focused on a topic that we’re passionate about here at the Edge Foundation. One key takeaway for me was that, as ever with the skills space, everything is connected. That can make things complicated, but on the plus side, it means that if we plan carefully, what’s good for sustainability can be good for equity and the economy too.”

Graham Hasting-Evans, Chief Executive NOCN Group said:

“Tackling climate change is not an option it’s a necessity. The Green Mindset Collective Playbook is a great tool which will help us to develop the skills for a sustainable economy” 

Patrick Craven, Director of Policy and Stakeholder Partnerships, City & Guilds, said of event:

“Education and Training services are the foundation of how we develop and engage with the world around us.  As a leading awarding and accreditation body, we support the recognition of skills that make a difference to people, places and our wider society, and in this day and age, that means we embrace green skills.  It is only right that all involved in the supply of skills education and recognition should consider the impact we have on our environment and strive to embed green skills awareness, measures and behaviours in all we do.”