First Greenprint conference set to inspire young people and promote green skills in Hampshire

The Greenprint initiative will soon be reaching plenty more eyes and ears as the countdown begins for its inaugural conference this June.

Business, education, and community leaders from across the South are set to gather at the University of Southampton for an all-day event exploring the challenges and opportunities involved with building green skills and jobs in the region.

The packed programme for the day includes a panel discussion, workshop sessions, and a presentation from students at Mayfield School in Portsmouth showing off their prototype EV charging points powered by renewable energy.

Professor Mark Spearing, Vice President of the University of Southampton, will join Cllr Sean Woodward, Leader of Fareham Borough Council, in welcoming visitors before handing over to the panel.

Then, following workshops in the afternoon, the conference will close with a networking drinks reception.

Cllr Woodward, who also chairs the Partnership for South Hampshire, said: “The conference is a great opportunity for organisations, businesses, and local communities to address how we, collectively, can make sure our region has the skills it needs to tackle pressing environmental issues.

“It will also consider ways in which we can create a synergy between the vast range of projects and initiatives that are happening across business, the public sector, and academia.”

The Greenprint initiative seeks to lay out ‘a framework for a green recovery’ by promoting cross-sector sustainability and climate resilience, in line with the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and Environment Improvement Plan.

It receives support from the Partnership for South Hampshire, Universities of Southampton and Portsmouth, Southern Policy Centre and New Forest National Park Authority.

The initiative is also backed by the Solent LEP and played an important role in the bid for the Solent Freeport.

Alison Barnes, Chair of Greenprint and CEO of the New Forest National Park Authority, added: “We are delighted to be bringing the Greenprint initiative to a broad audience for the first time.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate our unique region and launch our ambition to become a centre for a world class environment alongside a world class economy by championing knowledge, collaboration, and innovation.

“Delegates will consider how we can collaborate to make the area become a centre for excellence in green skills and jobs, and in doing so, tackle local skills gaps and economic inequalities.

“This will come from building a future workforce which can seize the opportunities offered by innovation in key sectors, including zero carbon economy, land management and the visitor economy.”

The conference will be held in person on Friday 30 June at the University of Southampton, but virtual attendees are also invited to the morning session and can ask questions of the panel.

For more information and to sign up, click here, or watch a video for the event below.