New Report Outlines How UK Skills Systems Can Help Young People Acquire Skills to Achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions
Learning and Work Institute (L&W) has conducted research on behalf of WorldSkills UK on how UK skills systems can help young people acquire the high-quality technical skills needed to support the UK’s transition to net zero carbon emissions.
Key findings
- Most employers surveyed currently require green skills or expect to in the future.
- For employers that require green skills or expect to, they are needed in a wide range of business areas and at all career levels, but most have had difficulty in hiring suitable candidates.
- Green skills gaps are having a negative impact on employers’ ability to meet their net zero targets and their ability to manage rising energy costs.
- Most young people surveyed feel inspired to pursue a career that can help the UK to reach net-zero and are strongly motivated by a desire to combat climate change.
- Young people, particularly young women, lack awareness on green jobs and careers available, the skills employers require, and the relevant education and training pathways.
- Young people lack awareness and understanding of ‘green skills’ and ‘green jobs’, despite their strong commitment to sustainability.
- Young people and employers agree that the skills for netzero will be important for future careers, but employers are unsure if the education system is equipping young people with them.
- Corporate sustainability and social responsibility strategies, demonstrating how a company is having a positive impact on the environment, are vital in attracting young people into employment.
