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UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
Government ‘not sufficiently grappling skills gap’
Inconsistent government policy on green jobs and a knowledge gap in necessary skills are resulting in missed opportunities, according to the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC). In its latest report: Green Jobs, the Committee expresses disappointment that despite announcements committing millions of pounds to green jobs initiatives, the government is yet to define what a ‘green job’ is, and how it will evaluate the perceived demand.
The Net Zero Strategy, which claims to support up to 440,000 jobs by 2030, would have been the ideal opportunity to offer clarity on how to define and measure what ‘green jobs’ are, says the report. And, while the Strategy set out the government’s green jobs and skills ambitions, what is needed now is a detailed, actionable delivery plan. Delay in clarifying this information could lead to the government’s ambitions amounting to no more than an aspiration.
This lack of understanding was apparent in the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme, adds the Committee, where the government failed to engage with the sector to develop the skills required, resulting in contractors making staff redundant as consumers awaited confirmation of vouchers.
EAC Chairman Philip Dunne said: ‘From renewable energy clusters in the North East and Scotland, to engineering powerhouses in the Midlands, we are building an economy set for net zero. But the workforce of the future is being undermined by a lack of evidence-based government policies on how jobs will be filled in green sectors. Encouraging announcements of investment in green sectors of the economy are very welcome but the government admits that claims about green jobs lack explanation and data on how the targets will be achieved.’
The Net Zero Strategy, which claims to support up to 440,000 jobs by 2030, would have been the ideal opportunity to offer clarity on how to define and measure what ‘green jobs’ are, says the report. And, while the Strategy set out the government’s green jobs and skills ambitions, what is needed now is a detailed, actionable delivery plan. Delay in clarifying this information could lead to the government’s ambitions amounting to no more than an aspiration.
This lack of understanding was apparent in the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme, adds the Committee, where the government failed to engage with the sector to develop the skills required, resulting in contractors making staff redundant as consumers awaited confirmation of vouchers.
EAC Chairman Philip Dunne said: ‘From renewable energy clusters in the North East and Scotland, to engineering powerhouses in the Midlands, we are building an economy set for net zero. But the workforce of the future is being undermined by a lack of evidence-based government policies on how jobs will be filled in green sectors. Encouraging announcements of investment in green sectors of the economy are very welcome but the government admits that claims about green jobs lack explanation and data on how the targets will be achieved.’
