Say what a ‘green job’ is... and who’ll fill it, Boris urged

A PLAN for the jobs and skills required in the green sector is urgently needed to prepare for the future, a group of MPs has warned.

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) said despite announcements committing millions of pounds to green jobs initiatives, the Government has yet to define what the jobs are – and how they are to be filled.

The group said the Net Zero Strategy, which claims to support up to 440,000 posts by 2030, would have been the ideal opportunity to clarify how to define a green job and how it can be measured.

In its report, Green Jobs, the MPs committee said: “Achieving the Government’s net zero and longterm environmental goals depends on a skilled green workforce in the economy to deliver these.”

It describes the level of Government ambition and the work carried out by the Green Jobs Taskforce as a good foundation for delivering this workforce.

The report adds: “What is needed now is a detailed plan for how these ambitions will be delivered.”

The EAC fears delays in clarifying this information could scupper Government ambitions.

It also believes learning about climate change and sustainability must run through all education and training.

The committee wants environmental sustainability to be in National Curriculum and A-level courses and a module on sustainability included in every apprenticeship and T Level course.

EAC chairman Philip Dunne said: “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 are very welcome but the Government admits that claims about green jobs lack explanation and data on how the targets will be achieved.”

Careers advice plays a major role in making people aware of the opportunities in green sectors but young people have told the MPs they need more advice and information on what jobs are out there.

A Government spokesman said: “Over the past year, 56,000 jobs have been created and supported in the UK’s green industries.

“To build on this success, we are delivering various initiatives to ensure people have the right skills.”