Sustainable Careers
Sustainable Careers
SKU:9781911724537
Formats Available: Paperback | eBook
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Paperback Edition
Demystify the complex and rapidly evolving world of sustainable careers with this informative handbook.
Are you an educator or career development professional eager to support the next generation as they navigate the ever-evolving world of work? Sustainable Careers is your essential guide to understanding, exploring and promoting career paths that contribute to a better future – for individuals and the planet.
Experienced author Liz Painter breaks down the complex topic of sustainable careers into three accessible and actionable areas:
- Building careers that last: discover how career management skills can empower young people to adapt, thrive and find purpose throughout their working lives.
- Exploring green industries: learn about exciting opportunities in sectors dedicated to environmental and social improvement while maintaining economic viability.
- Sustainability in every role: understand how all careers contribute to sustainability, with practical insights into reducing carbon footprints and embracing greener practices.
Packed with practical advice and unique insights, this indispensable guide boasts real-world scenarios taken from the corporate and third sectors and ‘world of work’ examples with suggestions about how to use them in school and college. With an emphasis on green skills throughout, this comprehensive resource also delves into the challenge of balancing sustainability with the demands of the modern labour market.
Whether you are guiding students, advising clients or simply exploring the future of work, Sustainable Careers is the one book you will need to unlock the potential of a workforce ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
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Product Information
Published: 6 June 2025
Edition: 1st
Length: 182 pages
Dimensions: 240mm x 170mm
Key Reviews
"Liz Painter ... offers[s] a comprehensive overview of the subject that will be of great interest to careers leaders, career development professionals, educators and policymakers alike ... Readers looking for support with developing the sustainability element within their school’s or college’s careers education programme will find this volume to be a rich source of information ... This book represents an important contribution to the literature on career development practice and also to the field of education for sustainable development. I have no hesitation in recommending it to readers interested in either subject, or in both."
Dr Oliver Jenkin PGCE RCDP, NICEC Fellow
“...this is an excellent and timely book. ... While careers advisers such as myself are perhaps its main target audience, I would highly recommend Painter’s Sustainable Careers for anyone concerned with the practical challenge of implementing Net Zero goals, whether policy makers, politicians, academics or those implementing projects and developing talent and skills in the private sector.
Peter Stewart, Founder / Director of Resource Economist Ltd, BIEE member and former Council member (2013-2021)
"The book is concise without sacrificing depth. It’s a must-read for those guiding the next generation on career decisions —and a helpful text for anyone who believes that work should be both meaningful and mindful of our planet’s future."
Korin Grant, Assistant Professor, University of Warwick, UK (NISEC Journal October 2025, Issue 55)
Sample Chapter
Gatsby Benchmarks
This book will help your school meet the following Gatsby Benchmarks:
- Benchmark 2: Learning from careers and labour market information
- Benchmark 3: Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees
- Benchmark 6: Experiences of workplaces
Free Resources
Free accompanying resources for this title can be downloaded here.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Introducing the book
The world of work is changing and young people are more aware than ever of local and global issues and they want to feel empowered to contribute.
Chapter 2 - The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
A framework for career development.
Chapter 3 - A sustainable career
Our working lives are long, let’s help young people to have the skills to navigate this and have meaningful work.
Chapter 4 – ‘Green jobs’ and careers in sustainability
This chapter is probably the reason you picked up the book!
Chapter 5 – Sectors getting us to Net Zero
Many sectors are innovating and pushing boundaries to reduce the release of carbon dioxide whilst providing the resources the country needs.
Chapter 6 - Sectors working in a sustainable way
Many sectors, industries, organisations and individuals are doing what they’ve always done, only in a better way to minimise impact and improve society.
Chapter 7 – Qualifications in Sustainability
Focusing on learning the detail, in order to make a difference.
Chapter 8 – Rising to the challenge
Environmental and social factors might be competing with economic factors, but whenever there is a problem, there is always a solution.
Chapter 9 – Helping young people
Education leads to knowledge and knowledge can lead to power, lets empower our young people. Putting and keeping sustainability into the careers education curriculum. Includes resources that you can build into your curriculum.
Chapter 10 – Wrapping up
Using the key messages from this book and planning your next steps.
Meet the author: Liz Painter
Liz is a freelance career development professional, has an MA in Careers Education and Coaching and is registered with the CDI.