Future Skills – Green and Sustainability Solutions

Green jobs are booming - but where are the skilled workers?

25 April 2025

The UK’s journey to net zero could be held back by a widening green skills gap, according to our panel experts featured in the latest Future Skills livestream, a collaboration by FE News and City & Guilds. Hosted by Gavin O’Meara and Bryony Kingsland, plus special guest speakers Stephen Knight (MCS) and Mark Buckton (Opergy), the discussion tackled the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s green economy.

“Green skills aren’t just a new sector - they’re becoming the sector,” said guest Stephen, highlighting the rising need for installers, engineers, and retrofit specialists. “We’re seeing growth, but nowhere near fast enough to meet targets.”

According to our research report, The Path to Solving the Productivity Crisis, fewer than half of working adults felt their education prepared them for their careers, while 91% of UK CEOs see workforce development as essential to productivity. With sustainability embedded across sectors, from energy to construction, the demand for upskilling is urgent and universal.

A system too slow for the speed of change

Mark pointed out that many green jobs are grounded in traditional trades like mechanical and electrical engineering, welding, and pipefitting, but now require a sustainability lens. “These aren’t new jobs,” he explained. “They’re existing roles evolving to meet new challenges.”

Yet that evolution isn’t happening fast enough. “There’s a two-year lag in skills delivery,” highlighting how the education system struggles to keep pace with fast-moving green industry demands. “Skills systems work best with steady growth, but green industry growth is anything but steady.”

Both guests stressed the need for closer collaboration between employers and educators through fieldwork, joint curriculum development, and masterclasses to bridge the classroom-to-career gap. However, financial and structural barriers, especially in the FE sector, remain a challenge.

The risk of missing out on local jobs and investment

A key concern is the over-reliance on overseas talent and manufacturing. “If we don’t grow our own green economy,” Mark warned, “local communities won’t see the benefits.” Investing in domestic manufacturing for solar panels, wind turbines, and carbon capture plants is vital to secure local jobs and futureproof our economy.

The conversation also explored the role of emerging technologies like AI and robotics in sustainable infrastructure. Stephen emphasised the importance of regular CPD and lifelong learning, noting that annual upskilling may soon become the norm.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Both speakers agreed that changing how we talk about green careers is key to attracting young talent. “Young people care about the environment, but don’t always realise they can build careers around it,” said Stephen. His solution? Highlight impact, promote diverse role models, and make career info accessible through schools and social media.

The episode wrapped up with a clear message: the green revolution isn’t just on the horizon, it’s happening. For the UK to lead, it must invest in training, empower educators, and show young people that building a sustainable future can also be a fulfilling career.

Watch the Future Skills – Green and Sustainability Solutions livestream

To learn more about green skills and our move to a more sustainable future visit the Green Skills and Sustainability page.