Discovering green skills and new confidence through local learning courses

Adult learners in Coventry have completed a new green literacy programme designed to make sustainability practical, accessible and relevant to everyday life.

The Green Literacy Pilot brought together adult learners from a range of backgrounds to explore practical topics including saving energy and money, renewable energy, food growing, recycling and everyday environmental action.

The programme was designed to reach adult residents including people who are economically inactive or unemployed, residents in areas of disadvantage, new and settled migrant communities, asylum seekers, low-income families, people with physical or learning difficulties and disabilities, and younger adults aged 19 to 24.

Thirty learners took part, completing 186 learning hours across 15 courses. Several people returned for multiple sessions, with one completing 22 of the 30 available hours. Many praised the programme, developed and delivered as part of E.ON and Coventry City Council’s Strategic Energy Partnership, for helping them to feel more confident and able to take part in the city’s move towards a cleaner, fairer future.

For learner David the course offered practical knowledge and a welcome boost in confidence.

David said: “There’s a lot of people out there who are struggling, who just don’t know these sorts of things exist. They [the courses] are very, very helpful. I’ve learned a lot from them and one thing I’ve learned is about green thoughts. I wouldn’t say I know everything about saving the planet, but I do know a little bit more now.

“Hopefully I can do a few more of these courses, build my confidence a bit.”

Another learner, Azariah, said the course could open doors for people who may face barriers to further education or work.

Azariah said: “I believe it will be opening doors for further opportunities and happiness to the people who are unable to get into the colleges or universities. Especially for refugees and asylum seekers, it is a nightmare for people who do not have a right to work, their mental health, their physical health, their skills, it’s basically just going to help them.”

The course also became a place for people to connect. Natalie Williamson from Coventry’s Adult Education team said learners began greeting each other as they arrived and sharing lunch together as the programme progressed.

Natalie said: “The sessions were really popular and I want people to know that no matter what someone’s background is or what they know already, there’s a place for them here. We’ve had learners that have got degrees from other countries, and then we’ve got learners who might come up to retirement. We've got learners who have got literally no qualifications, but they've all got a place in our classroom.”

The Green Literacy pilot is part of Green Futures, a community-led initiative developed by the Adult Education Service alongside E.ON. It was delivered by two trainers from E.ON’s Next Zero Academy.

Cayleigh Marshall, Social Value Manager at E.ON said: “Sustainability can sometimes feel like a technical subject, or a conversation for experts. This programme took a different approach: starting with people’s everyday experiences and helping them build knowledge from there.

“This programme is about people first. It shows how practical, inclusive learning can help residents build confidence, make connections and feel part of Coventry’s move towards a greener future. Through our Strategic Energy Partnership with Coventry City Council, we want to support opportunities that make a real difference in people’s everyday lives.”

 Cllr Lynnette Kelly, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, said: “Adult education is for everyone, whatever their background or starting point, and thanks to E.ON we have been able to show how green skills can be made accessible, relevant and empowering. Our partnership with E.ON is delivering on our commitment to support local people to heat their homes for less. But, it is also making a difference thanks to initiatives like this which are growing skills and opportunities and I am pleased that everyone who took part is reporting a really positive impact.”

Coventry City Council’s Adult Education Team is now building on the sessions so more residents can take part in future courses.

The programme supports Coventry’s Climate Change Strategy 2024–2030 and the One Coventry Plan, helping residents to build knowledge and confidence while supporting wider local ambitions around resilience, net zero, the circular economy, nature recovery and a fairer green future.