Future of Green Skills in Sussex

[edit] Introduction

A report for businesses and job seekers, based in Sussex on the incoming Green Skills revolution. Taking a sector led approach to uncover the challenges, potential and opportunities for a transition. The report examines the current landscape, local support structures, and future prospects of green skills and was written & Produced by Dougal Fleming and supported by Cassie Galbraith, Robb Cunningham, Claire Witz, Louie Holmes & Marco Picco.

Introducing the why of green skills, the report says 'If we want future generations to enjoy the opportunities they deserve, we must tackle the climate emergency head- on. Ultimately, we’ve got to strive to leave the environment in better health than we found it in.A crucial part of that mission is transforming how we do business. From minimising waste to reducing carbon, all businesses need to tread lightly on the environment and consider how they can contribute positively to the natural world. At the heart of the mission is people, and green skills are the skills we’ll need to make the transition happen.' It goes on to quote the Bupa wellbeing index saying almost half (48%) of Gen Z workers would consider leaving a job that did not follow through on in its sustainability promises.

[edit] Contents and future jobs

Stretching to almost 100 pages the report goes in to some detail on the general themes, including giving descriptions of potential future of Green jobs: 'Just like the digital revolution required new skillsets such as Search Engine Optimisation and User Experience (UX), the green transition will lead to numerous new skills and job opportunities. So of those relevant to construction are listed here.

• Waste Reduction & Recycling: Measure - Learn - Action - Sell
• Sustainable Supply Chain Mapping: Procurement - Scope 3
• Sustainable Urban Planning: Where - How - Engagement
• Environmental Education: Observe - Learn - Plan - Mimic - Share
• Sustainable Forestry Practices: Regional Plan - Ecosystem
• Ecological Systems Design: Economic activity in line with nature
• Sustainable Interior Design: Compare - Choose - Procure - Install
• Renewable Resource Management: Map - Plan - Use - Impact
• Green Innovation: Converting Ideas into action
• Sustainability Manager: Build plan (ESG/NZ/SDGs) + track
• Environmental Team Lead: Understand impact - Regenerate
• Environmental Economics: Cost benefit of investing in nature
• Environmental Scientist: Study - Learn - Build - Implement - Tweak
• Retrofitting: Insulate - Solar - Heat Pump - Battery - Vent

[edit] Sector by sector

The report goes on to give details on future skills and actions for each of the sectors and draws extensively on evidence from the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) and its Members. Quoting directly from ECA’s LSIP report it says Local Skills Improvement Plans:

“play a crucial role in tailoring the development of the electrical workforce to local needs, advocating for better collaboration between employers, education providers, and other stakeholders to enhance the quality and relevance of training provided."

It acknowledges the considerable challenges faced by the industry in recruiting a skilled workforce.

"A large number of learners are enrolled do not lead to qualified electrician status, raising concerns about the efficiency of public investment and the actual utility of such courses. These courses attract a high number of learners, yet the progression from these courses to apprenticeships is disappointingly low (typically below 10%)."

[edit] Conclusion

The report concludes that collaboration is central to the future workforce. It states clearly that businesses, education providers and public sector must work together to understand how training provision and the supply of talent can meet the skills needs of industry.

To download the report in full click on this link.

The article is based on the contents of the report 'FUTURE of GREEN SKILLS SUSSEX' written by written & produced by Dougal Fleming. The last section appears on the ECA news and blogsite as 'Future of Green Skills in Sussex' dated June 6, 2024.

--ECA

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