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A green industrial revolution is under way, one that is not only tackling our environmental crises but delivering economic growth and prosperity across the country. However, to continue to grow and thrive – especially as the wider economy stagnates – the sector needs skilled workers and green skills.
To tell that story, IEMA has again teamed up with Content With Purpose (CWP), a strategic content creator, to underline the critical importance of building a workforce ready to deliver growth and a cleaner, greener future for all.
The result is a digital series, Green Horizons: A Workforce Fit for Tomorrow, which uses a range of short films, case studies and interviews to highlight both the opportunities in the green economy and the urgent need to close the skills gap – particularly in sustainability roles across all sectors.
According to CBI Economics, the UK’s net-zero economy has grown by 10% annually for the past two years and now employs around one million people. The number of people completing green skills training courses has increased by more than 50% during that same period. But to sustain that momentum, the sector needs workers in roles that go beyond what’s typically seen as “green”.
As IEMA CEO Sarah Mukherjee MBE says in the series: “The jobs that are really needed are … welders, plumbers and engineers. It’s those practical skills that are really needed to drive us forward with the infrastructure we need for a greener future.”
The series features sit-down interviews with experts from a range of organisations, including Energy UK, heat pump startup Aira, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF).
James Alexander, CEO of UKSIF, and Dhara Vyas, chief executive of Energy UK, both articulate the need to grasp the economic opportunity that the green transition can provide, delivering well-paying jobs at all levels across the country.
“We have this great opportunity to create growth and deliver sustainability at the same time,” says Alexander.
The series also addresses the sector’s lack of diversity. A featured case study looks at the Diverse Sustainability Initiative, set up by IEMA after research revealed that the profession ranks second-worst nationally – behind only farming – for diversity. The initiative connects professionals from across the UK’s communities with mentoring, support and training.
“It’s not just about representation,” says Mukherjee. “We need to show that the green transition creates real, decent jobs for everyone – no matter where they come from or what they do.”
Organisations contributing to the series include the Canal & River Trust, Egis, Arup, Center Parcs, BSI, RSPB, CWM Environmental and SRK Consulting. Their stories cover green roles in ecology, mining, communications, infrastructure and urban design – demonstrating the wide scope of opportunity in the green economy.
Max Smith, founder and managing director of CWP, says: “It’s brilliant to once again partner with IEMA on this important series. At a time of both environmental urgency and economic challenge, we need to show that these goals are aligned. I hope this series inspires people – young and old – to seize the green opportunities ahead.”
Green Horizons is available now on the Green Careers Hub website here: Green Horizons - Green Careers Hub
Luke Denne is head of editorial at CWP
