University College Birmingham's Battery Manufacturing Skills Pathway (B-MSP) is the UK's first fully accredited programme of its kind, developed in direct response to the growing demand for green skills in battery technology. Built in partnership with Cranfield University, RAVMAC and WMG at the University of Warwick, and funded by UKRI's Faraday Battery Challenge, the programme equips trainees with nationally recognised qualifications across automotive, marine, defence and construction sectors. Launched in 2025 with the Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero in attendance, it positions UCB at the forefront of the UK's transition to sustainable manufacturing, with trainees gaining practical experience with live batteries. STRATEGY IN ACTION BATTERY MANUFACTURING SKILLS PATHWAY – ENGINEERING AND STEM The launch of our Level 6 Sustainability in Aesthetics module is matched by action on the ground. In partnership with estates, the Aesthetics team has introduced a British Beauty Council and MYGROUP take-back scheme for hard-to-recycle cosmetic empties, giving students and staff a way to responsibly recycle plastic packaging and beauty products on campus. Waste is recovered and repurposed by the MYReFactory team, giving products a second life. Curriculum and campus working together to embed sustainability and make it a tangible reality for students. SUSTAINABILITY IN AESTHETICS – CREATIVE INDUSTRIES Three University College Birmingham final year Culinary Arts Management BA (Hons) students won the Least Waste Award at Zest Quest Asia (2024) for their low-waste, climate-smart cooking. Their menu used energy-efficient preparation techniques that cut kitchen waste. All waste went to compost at a farm which produced 87% of the restaurant’s ingredients. Matteo, one of the participants said “We decided as a team not to use single use plastics or sous vide vacuum pouches. We didn’t leave the taps running or leave the hobs on. We became so conscious about it and got our waste down to almost nothing.” ZEST QUEST ASIA – CULINARY ARTS MANAGEMENT Six students from the Department of Hospitality and Tourism worked directly with Malvern Hills District Council to help shape a new sustainable tourism strategy for the area. The brief was to attract a younger generation of visitors aged 18–35, while respecting the rural environment and the communities who live there. Working across digital campaigns, youth-focused events and place marketing, the students applied their studies to a live challenge with a real client and real outcomes. As Victoria Carman, Visitor Economy and Towns Manager at the Council put it: the district offers genuine opportunity for tourism growth, and UCB students are helping to unlock it. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM – HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM Level 4 Food and Nutrition students put sustainability theory into practice with a guest lecture from Food Sustainability Consultant, Matthew Unerman, on food security and planetary health, followed by a kitchen session designing and delivering a no-food-waste menu. This session got students thinking about sustainability and the impact they can make from the very start of their degree. Students were challenged to question whether existing food systems serve people or planet, then demonstrate an answer through their cooking. The waste produced across the entire three-hour session was down to a single bowl, with students proposing it be dried for fibre fortification. FOOD SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY – HEALTH AND NUTRITION APPENDIX To learn more about our work and keep up to date with out latest progress head to our website: www.ucb.ac.uk/about-us/sustainability-at-universitycollege-birmingham/ KEEN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY? Try these educational resources: • https://sdgacademy.org • https://doughnuteconomics.org/about-doughnuteconomics • https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org • https://www.unprme.org • https://www.sustainabilitywestmidlands.org.uk • https://small99.co.uk • https://www.isepglobal.org • https://www.eauc.org.uk • https://www.sas.org.uk UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY 2025–2030 29 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY 2025–2030 28
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