Working together
We welcome open dialogue with employers and are happy to discuss how sustainability can be reflected within your careers fair presence in a way that works for your organisation.
Get in touch with Vicky Harvey, Sustainability and Employer Engagement Coordinator 📧 vicky.harvey@ntu.ac.uk or ☎ 0115 848 4538.
Why sustainability matters to employers
Students and graduates are increasingly conscious of the environmental and social impact of the organisations they engage with. Many actively consider sustainability and values led practice when deciding who to speak to at careers fairs and where to apply.
Our approach to sustainable careers fairs
We embed sustainability into the planning and delivery of our careers fairs. We recognise that employers are at different stages of their journey, with varying resources and capacities. Our focus is on progress, not perfection. Small actions can make a meaningful difference.
Employers may wish to consider:
- Reducing materials and waste.
- Using digital materials or QR codes instead of printed brochures.
- Bringing reusable display items and minimising single use giveaways.
- Choosing public transport or shared travel where feasible.
- Highlighting sustainability and/or or responsible business practices when engaging with students.
NTU's commitment to sustainable fairs:
- Our Embracing Sustainability statement is included in key employer communications, ensuring sustainability is embedded from the outset.
- Where possible, hospitality is provided by NTU Catering, which prioritises local sourcing and sustainable practices.
- Catering is ordered based on delegate numbers to minimise waste and served using recyclable containers and wooden cutlery.
- Single use bottled water is no longer provided; exhibitors are encouraged to bring refillable bottles.
- NTU holds the Three Star Food Made Good Sustainability Award (2023), accredited across all catering provision.
- Reusable, NTU branded tablecloths are provided for NTU stands; employers are welcome to bring their own.
- Stand signage and materials are reused wherever possible.
- Printed Fair Guides have been replaced with an electronic dashboard featuring employer profiles, vacancies and direct website and LinkedIn links.
- Student sign‑in is managed digitally via QR codes.
- NTU branded promotional merchandise is no longer supplied.
Ethical employer engagement
We support students to make informed career decisions and welcome employers sharing information about their sustainability and/or EDI approaches. Links to relevant policies or webpages may be shared with students via our careers fair dashboard, jobs board and event listings.
These actions reduce environmental impact while helping communicate values that matter to early career talent.
“There is a growing demand from employers for sustainability experience and skills in today’s evolving job market. It’s great to see NTU students and our Employability team working together to lead this change.”
Steve Denton, Chief Operating Officer & Registrar
Employer Toolkits
Download NTU Employability’s free toolkits for helpful advice and guidance when recruiting students and graduates.
Taking you through the process from start to finish, they provide useful information that will help you not only find the right employee but will also establish or retain your reputation as a great employer.
For over 10 years, NTU has consistently ranked as a first-class university in the People and Planet University League, the UK's only comprehensive and independent league table of universities ranked by environmental and ethical performance. For the third year running we have been ranked the second most sustainable university in the world in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, out of over 1,183 institutions.
In 2024, NTU was named within the top 100 institutions worldwide in the Times Higher Education Impact rankings.