‘Every UK job has the potential to be green’

Every UK job has the potential to be green, according to a new independent report published today and backed by the UK government.

The report by the Green Jobs Taskforce includes 15 recommendations such as publishing a detailed Net Zero Strategy and using policy to promote good green jobs, skills and competitive supply chains.

It also said industry, the education sector and government should work together to ensure green careers advice and pathways into good green jobs, and build on the government’s skills reforms to support people to work in the new green economy.
The report assesses how the UK jobs market and the skills sector should adapt to support net zero, from training engineers and construction workers who are building the UK’s offshore wind farms and nuclear plants, to the retrofitters who will make homes more comfortable and energy efficient, and car mechanics servicing electric vehicles and vans.

As part of government’s immediate response to the report, it will set up a cross-cutting delivery group to include representatives from industry, the skills sector and other key stakeholders to oversee the development and delivery of the government’s plans for green jobs and skills.

This group aims to maintain the momentum generated by the Taskforce and drive meaningful action across the green skills agenda.

The evidence collected and the recommendations, will now be considered by the government, feeding into the development of its Net Zero Strategy, due to be published ahead of the UN’s climate summit COP26 in Glasgow this November.

The Taskforce was convened by the Business and Education departments in November 2020.

UK Energy & Climate Change Minister and co-chair of the Green Jobs Taskforce Anne-Marie Trevelyan (pictured) said: “As we lead the world in tackling climate change, we need to invest in the UK’s most important asset – its workforce – so that our people have the right skills to deliver a green Industrial Revolution and thrive in the jobs it will create.

“That’s why today we have welcomed the recommendations put forward by the Green Jobs Taskforce, which are a big step forward in delivering the skilled workers and green jobs essential for the UK’s transition to net zero.

“Its report, alongside our ambitious skills programmes, will be invaluable to us as we build a pathway into green careers for people from all backgrounds and ensuring that workers and communities dependent on the high-carbon economy are supported as we build back greener into a cleaner future.”

Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills and co-chair of the Green Jobs Taskforce Gillian Keegan said: “We are focused on delivering the talent pipeline businesses need for green jobs now and in the future.

“From Skills Bootcamps to apprenticeships, our skills programmes will ensure people are able to acquire the skills needed for the growing green economy.

“We welcome the Taskforce’s findings which will help us to drive forward our ambitious green skills revolution, supporting more people of all backgrounds to get the skills they need to build great careers and help us reach our goal of net zero emissions by 2050.”

National Grid director and member of the Green Jobs Taskforce Rhian Kelly said: “Getting the right people and skills in place to achieve the government’s ambitious climate goals is a huge challenge.

“The Green Jobs Taskforce has drawn on insights from across business, trade unions and academia, to identify actions that can have a real impact on building the net zero workforce the UK needs.

“This won’t happen overnight so it’s vital we move from intent to action now and that the report is acted upon with urgency.”

Executive Director of Aldersgate Group and Member of the Green Jobs Taskforce Nick Molho said: “The Green Jobs Taskforce has been a great example of industry, trade unions, the skills sector, civil society and government working together to make the net zero transition a success for the UK economy, its workforce and citizens.

“There is strong agreement across all sectors that we can achieve the UK’s climate and environmental targets in a way that grows new low carbon supply chains across all parts of the economy and creates a significant number of high-quality jobs across the country.

“Achieving this ambition is ultimately down to the actions that government, industry and the skills sector will take in the coming years.

“To deliver this objective, the UK needs to have a detailed policy plan for its net zero target, mainstream the teaching of climate change and green skills across all stages of the education system and provide those already in the workforce with the financial and flexible learning support they need to have access to reskilling.”