The UK government’s “Plan for Change” aims to create thousands of clean energy jobs nationwide by 2030
This is in place to try and target growth in areas such as Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire, where the clean energy industry like offshore wind, nuclear, and solar are expected to flourish.
The goal is to develop a skilled workforce to power the transition to clean energy and provide economic security for local communities.
Creating a strong, skilled workforce
One key focus of this plan is to upskill workers, particularly in areas where traditional industries like oil and gas have historically been dominant.
The Government is setting up a range of training programs that will help workers gain qualifications in areas like welding, electrical engineering, and construction. These training programs will include new courses, training centers, and career advisers to help people enter the high-demand clean energy sector.
Another feature that will be part of this plan is the creation of ‘skills passports’ for oil and gas workers. These passports will help people get into the clean energy workforce by showing their relevant skills and offering pathways into jobs like offshore wind construction and maintenance.
The passport is a collaborative effort between the UK government, the Scottish Government, and industry partners. Research has shown that 90% of oil and gas workers already have skills transferable to clean energy roles, making this feature an effective way to help the workforce transition.
Targeting skills gaps: Creating clean energy jobs
The Government will also be providing around £1 million in funding to each of the four identified regions so that they can target specific skills gaps.
Local partners will also be able to develop their own plans for what they think is the best way to use their funding. This could be new training centers or set courses.
For example, Pembrokeshire will focus on offshore wind, while Cheshire will target nuclear fuel clusters. This local approach ensures each region can personalise its efforts to its unique energy infrastructure.
The plan doesn’t just hope to help workers transition into clean energy roles, but it also hopes to boost economic growth and job creation in traditionally industrial areas.
The UK government is committed to ensuring the jobs created are high-quality, well-paid, and unionised. This effort is also seen as a way to reindustrialize the UK, providing new opportunities for communities struck by past industrial decline.
Entering the clean energy sector
Businesses will also be supported in this transition by providing resources to help them grow and upskill their workforces.
A handbook will guide employers in accessing sector-specific work academy programs, which help jobseekers gain the necessary skills to enter the clean energy sector.
This plan aligns with other government goals of making the UK a global clean energy leader. It is not only about meeting climate targets but also about building a sustainable economy and ensuring that communities across the UK can benefit from future green jobs.
The plan also includes investment in other energy projects, such as carbon capture in Teesside, which further shows the UK’s commitment to both energy security and economic revitalisation.
With strong support from local governments, trade unions, and industry partners, the “Plan for Change” aims to create a strong, skilled workforce to drive a clean energy transition while revitalising local economies.
