To celebrate the recent launch of the Climate Ready Academy by Skillnet Ireland and Central Solutions, the Lean & Green Skillnet partnered with Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, Limerick to run a competition on the topic of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Open to all Transition Year Students, the Lean & Green Skillnet competition encouraged students to devise a training course proposal aimed at reducing the impact of climate change and/or improving one of the 17 UN SDGs.
The competition asked Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ TY students to demonstrate research, creativity and care with the design of their training course proposal. Students were inspired think about the impact of their chosen courses and how their course would encourage positive behavioural change in relation to the UN SDGs.
The Lean & Green Skillnet received 11 course proposals in total for review, a fantastic response from over 40 Laurel Hill Transition Year students. The proposals were then shortlisted to a final five of which an overall winner and runner up were selected. The judges gave additional recognition to a third proposal for its creativity. The Lean & Green Skillnet would like to thank all entrants for their hard work on each of the proposals and for the creative and imaginative ideas for the various courses.
Congratulations to Alannah Ní Lonargáin and Caoimhe Nic an Adhastair on their winning entry, “Sustainable Urbanism”. As this proposal stated, with over “50% of the world’s population living in cities”, generating over “70% of global emissions”, we must look at how we build our cities and focus on how we can make them more sustainable long term. This entry showed innovation and creative course design and was backed up by credible research referenced from reliable sources. The well-rounded proposal would be sure to encourage others to act in relation to sustainability in their own cities, towns and day-to-day lives.
Well done to the runners up, Gráinne Ni Chroinin, Roisín Ni Ící, Trudy Nic Lochlainn and Caoimhe Ni Nuanain, who’s “Fast Fashion” entry created a strong brand identity for their training course and well thought through marketing strategy. Currently, “168 million children in the world are forced to work because the fashion industry requires low-skilled labour” and fast fashion workers often work 14 to 16 hours in the day, 7 days a week with little or no workers’ rights. These are issues that desperately need to be
highlighted in today’s society where Fast Fashion is such a large market within the retail space.
A special mention and congratulations also to Molly Ni Choirc, Sorcha Ni Roghaill, Aisling Ni Bhriain and Nia Nic an Airchinnigh, the “Recycling 101” team, for another proposal that caught the judge’s eye for their very imaginative and creative course design, focusing on promoting recycling best practices to primary school children to help slow the effects of climate change.
Lastly, The Lean & Green Skillnet would like to extend our sincere thank Ms.
Denise Ruane and Eibhlín Stockil of Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, Limerick for all their hard work and assistance in putting this competition together.
The Climate Ready Academy aims to support Irish businesses in developing the skills and talent required to mitigate the effects of our changing climate and environment. The programmes, training, and supports offered as part of this national upskilling initiative are fully funded for Irish businesses and employees in the private sector. Click here to learn more about the Climate Ready Academy.