adults planting trees outdoors in nature
Projects

Green Employability Programme - North Yorkshire and East Riding

Groundwork Yorkshire: A pilot initiative supporting unemployed adults in Goole and Selby, areas of high deprivation, by providing hands-on horticulture training, nationally recognised qualifications, and tailored employability support to address poverty and open pathways to sustainable employment.

UK & Europe

2026-2027

UN Sustainable Development Goals

No poverty
Quality education
Decent work and economic growth


The objective

To equip 24 unemployed adults with practical green skills, confidence, and recognised qualifications, enabling them to secure sustainable employment, volunteering, or further training in the green economy.

The issue

Goole and Selby face above-average poverty rates, low qualifications, and limited access to quality jobs. As the UK transitions to a low-carbon economy, there is a pressing need to re-skill workers for green sectors. Many residents experience barriers to high-skill jobs, and the region is identified for “levelling up” investment. adults planting trees outdoors in nature


The partner

Groundwork Yorkshire is an established charity with a strong track record in environmental and community development, delivering green skills training and employability support across the region.

Read more about the project: groundwork.org.uk

The project

  • Four 8-week training sessions (1 day per week) over 18 months
  • Hands-on horticulture training and NOCN Level 1 qualification
  • Brushcutter certification and employability skills development
  • Practical experience maintaining and enhancing local green spaces
  • Soft skills training: teamwork, communication, and confidence
  • Pathways into employment, volunteering, or further education
  • Ongoing support from Croda employees through mentoring, mock interviews, and networking
 
“Groundwork helps people gain confidence and skills, get into training and work, protect & improve green spaces, lead more active lives and overcome significant challenges such as poverty, isolation, low skills and poor health.”
Sarah Partington

Sarah Partington, Customer Complaints & Returns Coordinator, Croda, Cowick Hall

Impact

  • 24 direct beneficiaries trained in green skills and employability
  • 12 participants expected to progress into employment, apprenticeships, or further education within 3 months
  • 200 indirect beneficiaries (families and community members)
  • Improved confidence, motivation, and sustainability awareness among participants
  • Model designed for scalability and long-term sustainability through local partnerships and integration with regional skills strategies
 
Our Governance

Croda Foundation, established in 2020, is an independent charitable company set up by FTSE 100 specialty chemicals company, Croda International Plc, and is registered in England and Wales (number: 1196455). The Foundation is solely funded by generous donations from Croda International Plc and led by an independent Board of Trustees.