Icebreaker
Green Pathways Cards
Prepare a set of cards, each featuring a different green career pathway that can be pursued through VET organisations. Some examples could include "Renewable Energy Technician," "Sustainable Agriculture Specialist," "Environmental Conservationist," "Green Building Designer", "Water Resource Manager," etc.
Needed Material: Cards
Time frame: 10 min single group work + 15 min discussion with the entire group. Give more time depending on how may groups participate
Instructions:
- Distribute the career pathway cards randomly among participants. Each participant should take a moment to read the card and think about whether they are interested in pursuing that particular green career or if they have any related skills or experiences.
- Invite participants to introduce themselves, stating their name, current role or profession, and sharing whether they were given a career pathway card that resonates with their interests or skills. If they received a card that does not directly match their background, they can mention any connections they see or questions they have about that pathway.
- Pair up participants based on the career pathway cards they received. Give them a set amount of time (e.g., 5-7 minutes) to discuss how the chosen career aligns with their personal and professional goals, what skills or knowledge they might need to develop for that pathway, and any initial steps they could take to pursue it.
- Bring the pairs back to the larger group and invite a few pairs to share highlights from their discussions. Emphasise the diversity of perspectives and potential career trajectories within the green VET context.
- After hearing from the pairs, open the floor for a collaborative brainstorming session. Encourage participants to suggest additional green career pathways that may not have been on the cards and discuss the types of skills and competences that would be valuable for these roles.
- Conclude the activity by encouraging participants to reflect on the insights gained during the icebreaker. Invite them to think about how the discussion might influence their professional development goals and strategies within the context of green VET organisations.