Businesses Take Matters into Own Hands in Absence of National Strategy

Friday, 21 July 2023

As the UK Government has yet to provide a comprehensive update to its skills strategy since legislating for its net-zero target in 2019, businesses, academics, and policymakers are taking matters into their own hands. They are calling for a strategy that ensures the economic and social benefits of the low-carbon transition are maximized.

Centrica and the GMB Union have recently issued a document advocating for an education system that prepares learners for skilled jobs in the low-carbon transition. The report includes 48 recommendations, highlighting the potential for job creation and levelling up in sectors such as electric heating, energy storage, hydrogen, and renewable electricity.

One of the key recommendations is the establishment of a new strategic body for the energy sector to oversee skills strategy. The report also calls for an investment plan to rival those developed by the US and the EU, with a focus on scaling up public investment in building energy efficiency and low-carbon heating for buildings.

The report suggests that investment in low-carbon home heating should be supported with clearer information on the longer-term direction of the technology mix. It proposes a roadmap to 2050, with a milestone in 2028 stipulating that no new gas boilers can be installed without another low-carbon accompaniment.

The report also calls for a full funding review of universities, further education, and apprenticeships, including a reform of the apprenticeship levy and the creation of new apprenticeship standards for roles such as low-carbon heating technicians. For those already in employment, the report suggests the creation of 'just transition agreements' to upskill and reskill workers, minimizing job losses.

In related news, the Supply Chain Sustainability School announced that 200 companies have signed up as partners. The initiative provides free resources and accessible training to companies across the built environment chain, helping them access best practice information on the low-carbon transition, social value, and human rights.

Furthermore, career services firm Reed Group has launched Reed Environment, a new green skills training provider focusing on qualifications that enable workers to take part in building retrofitting, aiming to train 1,000 people per year.

These initiatives highlight the proactive steps businesses are taking to bridge the green skills gap, preparing for a future where sustainability and low-carbon operations are the norm.