Upskilling and reskilling existing workers, in addition to new apprenticeships, is key to success for Skills England

With the launch of 'Skills England' aiming to "bring together a fractured skills landscape", IEMA says the targeted upskilling and reskilling of existing workers, in addition to new apprenticeships, will be crucial to supporting green economic growth.

According to government, a third of productivity improvement over the last two decades can be explained by improvements to skills levels. But between 2017 and 2022 skills shortages in this country doubled to more than half a million, and now account for 36% of job vacancies.

Skills England will hold responsibility for maintaining a list of levy-eligible training to ensure value for money, and that the mix of government-funded training available to learners and employers aligns with the identified skills needs. 

IEMA deputy CEO Martin Baxter said: “If we don’t get the skill system right, we won’t have the people to drive economic growth and attract green investment into the UK.

“For example, there is a massive amount of infrastructure needed to get the UK power system to Net Zero by 2030 and we need to grow green skills at all levels, including technicians, trades and practical on-the-ground roles, such as welders, that will be driven by apprenticeships.

“But the green transition is about more than achieving net zero and we would encourage a demand-led approach to skills, enabling finite resources to be targeted to support economic growth and widening opportunity.

“Yes much of that should be focused on apprenticeships but some levy flexibility could allow more bespoke training opportunities that upskill and reskill existing workers quickly in pinch-point occupations, increasing productivity and programmes to support social mobility.

“We require a workforce with a wide range of green skills. To ensure our electricity system is decarbonised at pace, to stop pollution being dumped in our rivers and seas, to drive a more circular economy, to provide businesses with the skills to adapt to a changing climate that will impact infrastructure and supply chains, and to allow developers to build new homes and infrastructure while leaving our natural environment in a better state than they found it.

“And finally, with a looming green skills gap, businesses need to tap into a more diverse array of talent by promoting diversity, inclusion, and ensuring equal access for all demographics, so no one gets left behind.”