This project looked at including sustainability, specifically the concept of the circular economy, within the Fashion and Catering curriculum within providers across the region, and at developing transferable resources that could be used across the learning and skills sector.

The aim of the project was to provide a NE Regional Competition for education providers that would promote sustainability within a variety of curriculum areas. At the same time creating a bridge between sustainability and enterprise which would promote the concept of self-employment based around the idea of ‘sustainability’ as a realistic future option for learners.

This project started from the position of the Green economy as one of the main growth areas of the economy, and the need for the effective, efficient and rapid deployment of appropriate skills flexibly, responsively and innovatively to empower learners and employees. The aim of the project was to identify the types of skills required in the Green economy and to find ways of delivering these skills in the sector.

Through this project, Sussex Downs College sought to continue to promote a shift in behaviour, and in organisational sustainability performance, by embedding sustainable practices focusing on carbon reduction strategies, and with the development of an online learning tool: SustainIT. Key outcomes sought included improving understanding of climate change and further improvement across the organisation.