b'22 Member News July 2021VolunteersIET volunteeringhowit contributes to net zeroYou may not have realised this, but many of our volunteers are playing an important role in tackling global sustainability issues.We have 4,600+ volunteersEducating peopleThis often opens up invaluable around the globe who freely of all ages learning and work experience give up their time and effort opportunities, which in turn on our behalf. Many areOur Education Officers andhelp get students work-helping to accelerate theEducation Ambassadorsready and set them up for a drive towards net zero. facilitate educational STEMsuccessful long-term career.James Robottom, Sustainabilityactivities at schools. They inspireOur volunteer Young and Climate Change Lead, said: and excite children betweenProfessionals give their career four and 19 about engineering and technology, making surestage a face and voice within they gain a good understandingindustry and society, while also In supporting us toof the importance of STEMbringing fresh perspectives subjects and the role theyto the profession. They engineer a betteropenly share knowledge and play in their everyday lives world, our volunteersand a sustainable future.experience, and provide a range of platforms and opportunities are also helping toOur Local and Technicalfor fellow young professionals create a workforceNetworks are groups ofto build their networks.volunteers who work to deliver equipped with the rightactivities that are designed knowledge and skillsto promote the importanceInfluencing Government to be able to addressof science, engineering andand industry technology to the general The volunteers on our Sector the many complexpublic. Sustainability is high Panels and Policy Panels challenges presentedon their agenda. use their in-depth knowledge by climate change. and expertise to inform and Ensuring theres influence Government and a pipeline of industry. Their emphasis is very engineering talent much on promoting a green Based on the results of ourpost-pandemic recovery; the 2020 UK skills survey (seeAt universities, our Onneed to support innovation page 21), listed below are someCampus Student Volunteersand drive down costs; and of the many ways in whichdeliver activities that enablethe importance of long-term the generous support of ourengineering and technologyplanning and investment in volunteers around the world isstudents to network withorder to encourage a more contributing to a green recovery. employers and each other.sustainable and stable future.Find out more about IET volunteering at theiet.org/volunteering'