Greener Futures: Sustainability Takes Centre Stage at Brighton MET College

The Environment was the focus of the college as Brighton Met hosted its annual ‘Sustainability Matters at the MET’ event, inviting a selection of local organisations to chat with students.  

Bringing together environmentally conscious businesses and organisations including the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation, Willmott Dixon, and the college’s own Apprenticeships and Progression Plus teams, the event gave students valuable insights into sustainable careers, responsible business practices, and future employment opportunities.

Around 550 students attended from across the college, as they were able to network and meet with potential future employers and industry professionals, learning about their sustainable business practices.  

The event saw students and staff across the college come together to make a series of environmental commitments, reflecting the environmental focus of both the college and the event. These were then displayed on a board at the event.

These included the college’s estates team pledging to reduce general waste, reduce food  waste, increase recycling, and work towards being a Circular Economy College. It also included a variety of commitments from Level 1, 2 and 3 Professional Cookery courses to reduce food waste, to reduce plastics, and also the amount of blue roll used in classes 

Amy Gordon, a volunteer with the Real Junk Food Project, represented the organisation at the event. The project helps tackle food waste by redistributing surplus food that would otherwise go to landfill, making it available to local communities on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis. Sharing her thoughts on the event, she said:  

“We’ve had lots of students that are quite interested in volunteering, maybe getting some work experience, and we’ve had a really positive response to what we do, lots of people really on board and saying what a brilliant thing it is we do, being anti-food waste.”  

Georgina Hooper, Head of Learning for Creative Industries, Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy and Sustainability Lead at Brighton MET College, said:  

“Sustainability Matters at the MET is a fantastic opportunity for students to connect with organisations that are driving positive environmental change and learn how sustainability can shape their future careers. It’s been inspiring to see so many students engage with exhibitors and make their own commitments towards a more sustainable future.”  

A massive thank you to everyone who attended, including:  
Willmott Dixon, Redroaster Cafe, The Real Junk Food Project, Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation, Recorra, Community Works and Brighton Permaculture Trust, alongside staff from the college’s Apprenticeships and Progression Plus team. 

For more information about a wide range of courses available at Brighton MET College please click here To book a place at the college open event on Saturday November 21, please click here.