Held at Octopus Energy’s London headquarters on 25–26 September, the event welcomed 50 young participants for workshops, networking and real-world interviews with employers in the green economy. The initiative aims to equip young people — particularly those from under-represented backgrounds — with the skills and confidence to pursue meaningful, climate-positive careers.
Hands-on experience and real job opportunities
Day one featured interactive sessions focused on interview preparation, CV development and confidence-building. On day two, attendees applied their skills in live interviews for 20 green roles spanning sectors such as renewable energy, retail, community care and engineering.
By the close of the festival, 30 candidates had progressed to second-stage interviews, and six others were added to employer talent pools for future positions. At Octopus Energy alone, 17 of the 23 interviewees received same-day callbacks.
Addressing the green skills gap
Recent research by Public First, commissioned by The King’s Trust, found that half of young people aged 16–25 have never encountered the term “green jobs” in their education. The Jobs That Matter initiative aims to change this by creating greater awareness of sustainable career opportunities and supporting fair access to them.
Olivia Wray, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Octopus Energy, said: “Creating more sustainable, future-proof jobs not only benefits young people entering the workforce — it’s essential to building a cleaner planet. We’re excited to welcome bright young talent ready to help power the green energy transition.”
Jonathan Townsend, CEO of The King’s Trust, added: “The young people at this event, many from underserved communities, are gaining vital skills and connections — and some may even leave with a job. For employers, it’s a chance to engage with creative, motivated young people whose ideas and energy can strengthen their organisations.”
Attendees described the event as a positive and empowering experience. One participant, Mai, said: “I just graduated from uni, and this is exactly what I needed.” Another attendee, Jamie, commented: “It made job-hunting a fun experience, which it never normally is. I hope many others from less privileged backgrounds get this same opportunity and support.”
Octopus Energy, recognised as one of the UK’s top employers, has already received over 230,000 job applications in 2025 and features in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025 list.
