A growing green economy is creating a surge in demand for workers with environmental expertise, but a significant skills gap is hindering the UK’s ability to capitalise on this opportunity.
In response, the University of Cambridge is now offering an eight-week programme to help individuals upskill and boost their job prospects, while London Business Training & Consulting has a one-day intensive course available for those looking to break into the green economy.
New data from the World Economic Forum reveals that individuals with green skills are almost 30% more likely to secure employment than those without. However, a worrying shortfall in talent exists, with only one in eight workers currently equipped for green tech roles.
The report highlights a widening disparity between supply and demand, with the number of job postings requiring green skills increasing at a faster pace than the availability of qualified candidates. While green tech jobs have bucked the wider tech downturn, growing by 15.2% in the past year, businesses are struggling to find the right people to fill these roles.
As the UK transitions to a low-carbon economy, addressing the green skills shortage will be crucial to ensuring the nation can reap the rewards of this burgeoning sector.
