The UK’s widening green skills gap

Five ways your business can help close the gap

According to the LinkedIn 2023 Global Green Skills Report, one-third of all jobs advertised in the UK required at least one ‘green skill’.1

This refers to skills that may be needed to develop and support a sustainable, resource-efficient society. It includes climate action planning, conservation, and sustainable design. At present, only one in eight British workers possess green skills, with the UK lagging behind several other major economies, including Germany and France.2

With skills gaps widening between employers’ requirements and available talent, recruitment software company Occupop has put together a report examining how employers can tackle the issue and future-proof their businesses for years to come.3

A LOOMING CRISIS?

From renewable energy to eco-friendly technologies, the call for professionals with green skills reverberates across industries.

However, the talent supply is currently insufficient to meet demand. Most alarmingly, this is how the UK compares to its European counterparts. In the wind energy sector, if Britain performed as well as Denmark, it could create an additional 98,000 jobs.4

THE GREEN TRANSFORMATION AHEAD

The UK’s Net Zero by 2050 strategy will be extended far beyond lofty policy statements and involve tangible, on-theground changes.5 Consider the following:

Infrastructure overhaul: Thousands of miles of cables must be integrated into the national grid. Electric car battery factories need construction. Heat pumps must be installed. Wind, solar and other renewable energy farms will need expansion.

Certified welders and engineers: Experts warn of a “critical shortage” of certified welders and electrical engineers. These skilled workers are the backbone of our green future, yet their scarcity threatens progress.

Net zero ambitions: The UK aims to create a net zero carbon footprint by 2050. Achieving this goal hinges on a workforce equipped with green expertise.

HOW CAN BUSINESSES PLUG THE GAPS?

While the scale of the task may appear daunting, savvy green skills recruitment will bring economic opportunities for businesses.

David Banaghan, interim chief executive at Occupop explains: “The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) estimates that the transition to a green economy could generate as many as 1.6 million new jobs.6 This potential job boom is both an economic opportunity and a prerequisite for achieving net-zero targets. To thrive in a sustainable future, companies should invest in upskilling their workforce and nurturing talent with expertise in environmental practices. Additionally, they can leverage technology to level up their recruitment processes.” Here are some things to consider:

Training and upskilling: Companies must proactively invest in training programs that equip existing employees with green skills. Apprenticeships, vocational courses, and certifications can bridge the gap and empower workers to contribute effectively to sustainability initiatives.

Collaborate with educational institutions: Partner with universities, colleges and vocational schools to design a curriculum that aligns with industry needs.

Encourage students to pursue green careers by highlighting their opportunities and impact.

Embrace technology: Harness the power of technology to meet your recruitment challenges head-on. Banaghan adds: “AI-driven recruitment platforms such as applicant tracking software (ATS) can help identify and attract candidates with the necessary green skills for your business. ATS can provide efficient sourcing and screening, customised job postings, automated workflows and effective collaboration among hiring teams – all essential processes in plugging green skills gaps.”

Promote diversity and inclusion: Address social class, background, and gender disparities. A diverse workforce brings fresh perspectives and can accelerate innovation. Create pathways for underrepresented groups to access green training and employment. Digitised recruitment software can help you do this, eliminating any unconscious bias.

Government support and policy alignment: Advocate for policies that incentivise green skills development. Engage with policymakers, if possible, to ensure funding for vocational training and apprenticeships.

CONCLUSION

As the country transitions towards net zero, green skills are likely to continue to be one of the defining recruitment trends of the future. Businesses that invest in their workforce’s green capabilities today will reap the rewards of a sustainable tomorrow.