Lack of skills and training is threat to UK’s green energy transition, says research

The UK’s green energy transition could be at risk because there isn’t yet the necessary skills programmes in place to train the workforce that is required, according to new research from by Economist Impact and ScottishPower’s parent company, Iberdrola.

A large majority (71%) of business leaders agree that green skills will be the most important driver for a successful green transition, according to the research.

Yet, just 51% of business leaders are actually implementing, or planning to implement, green skills programmes for their workforce.

The findings are taken from the Green Skills Outlook, which explores  the impact of the green transition in nine labour markets globally, including the UK.

In particular, the report looks at four sectors of the economy that will play a key role in the green transition: IT and technology; construction and infrastructure, transport and logistics; and energy and utilities.

The UK outlook finds a large section of the UK workforce risk missing out on the skills needed for a greener and zero-carbon economy. This, in turn, obstructs the progress and pace that the UK will be able to make the transition.

However, UK business leaders are generally optimistic about the green transition:

• More than two thirds (68%) are confident it presents more opportunities than challenges;
• Almost three quarters (74%) believe it will create higher quality jobs;
• 63% say it would create more jobs than it eliminates;
• over 30% in the energy sector identified smart grid implementation as one of the most important green skills to enable their organisation’s green transition.

Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower says: “The energy sector has been driving the bulk of green jobs to-date and we’ve been proud to lead the transition but as we move to the next phase a much wider range of industries will be competing for talent with those critical skills.

“Businesses looking to future proof their workforce plans should consider investing in those skills ahead of need to ensure they stay ahead of the game. The great news for job hunters is that there is a bright future if you have a green skillset.

Matus Samel, Senior Manager and the Green Skills Outlook Programme Lead at Economist Impact, says: “Restoring faith in the green transition will require significant efforts on the part of governments and the private sector. In order to mitigate any negative externalities, we need a collaborative effort to support investment and infrastructure development, training, education and social programmes in disrupted communities.”