Strategies for equipping the next generation for the low-carbon future

At the same time, many young people aged 16 to 24, particularly young men, are struggling to find a foothold in education or work. Nearly one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training (often called NEET). The challenge is especially acute in the North and Midlands, where job markets are weaker and opportunities more limited. In late 2025, there were five NEET young people for every entry-level vacancy in the East Midlands. Research points to deep-rooted patterns of disengagement among boys, shaped by early educational challenges, social inequality and limited vocational pathways.

SwitchUp, a Nottingham-based community interest company, has spent over a decade working with young people who are out of work, around two thirds of whom are NEET. A core part of its work is connecting young people with businesses willing to invest in their development, offering structured pathways into employment through mentoring, education and partnerships.

This PhD project will evaluate the long-term impact of SwitchUp's model and explore how it could be scaled up. By bringing together two pressing issues, young people who feel disconnected from education and work, and the construction sector's growing need for skilled workers, particularly in green roles, the research will develop a new framework that addresses both a significant social challenge and a critical barrier to achieving the UK's Net Zero goals.

This project has been co-created with and is supported by researchers from the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, and partners at SwitchUp. The successful candidate for this project will be enrolled at the University of Nottingham.

Project Aims and Objectives

The project objectives are:

1. To understand the perceptions of young people (16-24) of the construction sector and net zero roles.

2. To identify the barriers facing young people entering the construction sector in the East Midlands.

3. To evaluate the critical success factors in enabling young people from 'NEET' backgrounds to successfully transition into employment in this sector.

4. To identify the levers and develop an evidence-based framework for maximising the role of East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) in affecting change with regard to inclusive growth, control of Adult Skills Budget and its Net Zero ambitions.

What is Collaboratory?

Collaboratory is a research programme, led by Universities for Nottingham and the Leicester Universities Partnership, that places community knowledge and experience at the heart of research. This eight-year initiative is pioneering a new approach to collaboration, working closely with local communities and community-focused organisations to develop and deliver research that addresses the needs and priorities of local communities.