For many career guidance practitioners the idea that our work has an important role to play in addressing injustice and inequality is a key motivator and source of job satisfaction. The notion of green career guidance continues this tradition by suggesting that career development professionals align their practice with sustainability initiatives for the betterment of all concerned. The concept itself is not new, in fact the term ‘green guidance’ was coined by Peter Plant 30 years ago. And yet the practice of green guidance remains a challenge and has often been regulated to guidance for individuals working towards ‘green’ jobs such science and technology.

Insights from the recent COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil indicate there is global commitment to align workforce development with climate goals, supporting just transition principles and green skills development. Career development professionals have shown an appetite to play their part in this but have faced challenges both in terms of the reality of green labour market transition (and access to relevant labour market information) and in models of green career guidance practice.

This session will aim to argue for the wider adoption of green career guidance and present models and resources for the consideration of career development professionals. For those new to the topic there will be an exploration of the background, key terms and policy drivers for green career guidance.

We will look at career guidance approaches that align well with sustainability and consider challenges that practitioners may face, and how these may be overcome.

We will close with a summary of some of the key projects, resources and areas of research within green career guidance and action planning for career practitioners interested in taking green career guidance practice forward.

Key learning outcomes

Explain the purpose, foundations, and key policy drivers behind green career guidance.
Identify career development approaches that align with sustainability and just transition principles.
Assess common challenges in delivering green career guidance and consider practical ways to address them.
Apply relevant models, resources, and research to begin integrating green career guidance into professional practice.

Presenter - Korin Grant

Korin Grant is Assistant Professor in Career Studies at the University of Warwick. She is a qualified career development practitioner with over 20 years’ experience in career development, work related learning and teaching in higher education. In her current role Korin enjoys the opportunity to work with and learn from practitioners working in a great variety of settings, such as education, health, human resources and private practice. Her research and writing to date have mainly explored the role for career guidance in supporting environmental sustainability, challenges this may bring to practice and concepts to support career development professionals in a green guidance approach. She is currently leading on the UK arm of an international survey which aims to learn about career professionals’ perspectives on career development and environmental sustainability.

This webinar forms part of the CICA International Webinar Series February Free Month, offering free access to contemporary global perspectives in career development throughout February.