As part of the Government’s plan to boost growth and get Britain working, young people will be trained for thousands of green jobs and apprenticeships required to deliver clean energy by 2030.
Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, told the industry, trade unions and government that the government would work with them to create a “clean energy army” in order to achieve ambitious green energy targets by 2030. This was at a forum held today (7 April) with the Work and Pensions Secretary.
National Grid will create around 55,000 new jobs by the end decade. SSE Transmission, on the other hand, will create 37,000 more, of which around half will be located in Scotland.
Scottish Power’s SP Energy Networks plans to double the workforce of its transmission division to support 11,000 additional jobs in the UK and create 1,400 new jobs. The regulator must approve all three plans.
Miliband stated: “The energy industry has always provided good, skilled and unionised employment for young people in the UK. It provides secure, well paid employment for life.
To meet our goal of reaching clean power by 2030 we need an army of clean power engineers, welders, and technicians. This will give thousands of young people a chance to play a crucial role in tackling climate change, increasing our energy safety, and boosting our economy to deliver the Plan for Change.
Liz Kendall, the secretary for work and pensions, said: “With nearly a million youths who are neither working nor studying, it’s vital we give them the tools they require to take advantage of the clean energy transformation.
“Our plan, Get Britain Working, will revamp employment support. It will give everyone the skills and tools they need, and help them build a more prosperous and stronger future for themselves and their families.”
The government has launched a “regional skill pilot” in the clean energy industry. Aberdeen, Cheshire Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire were all identified as major growth areas for clean energy.
Funding will be provided to local partners to help them identify the skills needed to produce clean energy by 2030. The funding could be used to create new training centers, courses, or career advisers, helping locals find opportunities in industries like welding, electrical engineering, construction, etc.
In December, contracts for the “carbon capture usage and storage” programme (CCUS) were signed, after a PS22bn government commitment. The government has invested PS55m in the Port of Cromarty Firth to turn it into the UK’s leading floating offshore wind hub, generating hundreds of jobs and stimulating growth.
According to the latest CBI Economics figures, jobs in net-zero industries increased by 10% last fiscal year. The average annual wage for the sector was PS43,000 – PS5,600 more than the national average.
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