Green jobs: Future-Proofing the Talent Pipeline

In today's rapidly evolving world, the study of geology plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between Earth's natural resources and our global economy. Yet, there’s a growing gap in the number of students pursuing studies in geology and related geosciences – a trend that poses a challenge for sectors critical to our future.

Geoscience and environmental disciplines are not only fascinating fields of study; they are the foundation of industries that connect us directly to Earth’s systems, resources, and environments. From securing essential minerals and metals to addressing climate change and environmental sustainability, these sectors are pivotal in supporting the global economy, clean energy transition, and future innovation.

However, a shortage of students entering these fields threatens the talent pipeline needed to meet increasing demand across mining, renewable energy, environmental, and infrastructure sectors.

Investing in Education

At Dalradian, we recognise the importance of addressing this challenge. That’s why we’ve committed to supporting education, offering hands-on experience, and providing meaningful engagement with our project and our people. To date, we’ve provided 35 paid internships and 32 college bursaries allowing students to gain practical experience and financial support to pursue their studies. These initiatives encourage young minds to explore career opportunities in geoscience and environmental sectors.

Site visits and tunnel tours help to foster community engagement and provide a hands-on experience that informs the public about our project and plans to build a world class mine. To date, over 1,800 people have visited our site.

Department for the Economy’s Green Skills Action Plan

Northern Ireland’s Department for the Economy recently published a Green Skills Action Plan, which aims to equip the workforce with the skills required for a green, low-carbon future. The Action Plan highlights the growing need for education, training, and employment pathways that align with green industries. One of the short-term actions identified in the plan is to “Explore the possibility of developing a standalone geoscience degree with NI universities and colleges, an action we wholeheartedly support.

Inspiring the Next Generation: The Kings School Canterbury Visit

We recently welcomed students from The King’s School Canterbury – the oldest continuously run school in the world, founded in 597 AD – for the second consecutive year.

During the visit, students gained first-hand exposure to the exploration and mining processes. They toured our core shed facilities, examined rock samples, and took part in a core logging exercise – putting classroom learning into a real-world context.

As they toured our core shed facilities, the students were introduced to the geological processes that formed and enriched the mineral veins and the complex systems in place to ensure that mining operations are both efficient and environmentally responsible.

The students were given the opportunity to examine rock samples and learn about the drilling techniques used to locate deposits. Their knowledge was tested and developed by taking part in a core logging exercise. They also gained insights into the efforts being made to minimise environmental impacts and ensure the sustainability of the operations.

Experiences like this spark curiosity and can be the first step on a young person’s path to a rewarding career in the geosciences. They also serve to demystify the mining sector, showing that it can be modern, sustainable and integral to building a cleaner, greener future.

As the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow, industry, educators, and policymakers must work together to inspire and support the next generation of geologists, environmental scientists, and engineers.

At Dalradian, we’re proud to play our part – helping to future-proof the talent pipeline, support local communities, and unlock opportunities that benefit both people and planet.