Four in five (81%) of marketers believe an organisation’s commitment to sustainability is important when considering a new role.
According to a survey of 13,000 employers and professionals by workforce solutions firm Hays, an additional 55% of marketers would consider re-skilling into the sustainability sector.
Close to two-thirds (64%) would also be interested in reducing the environmental impacts of marketing activities, with 59% interested in enhancing an organisations’ social impact and value. On top of this 55% are drawn to helping organisations respond to the Net Zero agenda and 52% would be interested in working in Green Industries such as renewables, electric vehicles, green retrofit.
The news comes months after Publicis-owned agency Starcom launched a micro-site that included a report on sustainability challenges within the industry. The ‘Future Tensions in Sustainable Advertising’ report intended to address the idea that advertising, growth and product sales are ‘at odds’ with sustainability. Starcom chief executive Nadine Young claimed that “80% of marketers care and are concerned about the environment and the role we play in it.” She added that if the industry does not start to care now, “it will be too late and advertising also needs to play its part in forging a more sustainable future.”
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Hays managing director Clare Kemsley believes that there are “ample sustainable marketing career pathways and lots of opportunity for marketers to move into a sustainability communications role, where they can utilise their transferable skillsets to enhance sustainable business initiatives.
“As well as this, we are seeing a rise in professionals considering reskilling and upskilling into Green Industries.
“Nowadays, sustainability ought to be a priority, rather than a tick box, for organisations; whilst this is increasingly becoming the case across businesses, there is still lots to be done, and talented marketers certainly have values they can offer to help achieve these pressing sustainable goals.”
