SocEnv invests in pathways to green jobs with new role

We have expanded our small (but mighty) team with an exciting new role.

The new Education Relationship Manager will focus on establishing and championing routes to environmental registrations and green jobs.

The SocEnv team welcomes Tom Cheek on the 17th June into the brand new role of Education Relationship Manager. This role has been created to lead on a new strand of work to create new, and harness existing, pathways to green jobs.

Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv, Chief Executive at SocEnv, said:

“As is widely known, there is a huge green skills gap within our collective plans to transition to a sustainable world. Part of the challenge is having the appropriate, inspiring, visible pathways to learn such skills, leading to a successful career. Put simply, we need more skilled professionals performing in jobs that protect and enhance the environment. It’s a case of if not now, when?

I am delighted to welcome Tom, who will lead on our work to develop these crucial pathways.”

Tom will be working alongside universities, colleges, apprenticeship Trailblazer groups, employers, professional bodies, and more. If you are interested in collaborating with or supporting Tom with this work, please get in touch on [email protected].

In Tom’s words

Having the opportunity to contribute to developing the green economy and green transition through the lens of education was a massive draw for Tom. He said:

“There is an increasing need to invest in developing green skills and promoting green occupations. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to connect the benefits of professional registration into the quality of learning and development of career pathways whether that be vocational, technical or university provision. With SocEnv being interdisciplinary through its membership, the scope is exciting in its range and variety.”

About our new Education Relationship Manager

Tom has worked for over 20 years within a Further and Higher Education college, specialising in technical education and apprenticeships, with responsibility in delivery, quality assurance, technology enhanced learning and compliance, for a wide range of sectors.

For the last 4 years, Tom has been at the Science Council. A key focus was connecting science disciplined apprenticeships with new routes to professional registration, recognising the experience and skills educational pathways deliver. The work has required collaboration and networking with professional bodies, employers, apprentices, educational policy makers and other stakeholders within the educational space, promoting the value of professional body engagement within educational provision, and the benefits of professional registration for individuals, employers, and the wider sector.

Tom lives in Suffolk with his partner, and is kept busy with his two children, as well as the family cockapoo, tabby cat and cashmere loppy bunny. Blissed by the outdoors and arts, Tom loves nothing more than running, time with the family and spending time in nature, with a particular love for beach life.