The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is urging the UK Government to take bold action to address the growing skills gap in the green sectors.
Immediate action is needed to build the workforce for the UK to achieve its net zero and circular economy goals, CIWM said.
Since taking office, the Labour Government has closed the Green Jobs Delivery Group, which CIWM said it is “concerned” by as the group provided “critical insight” for the development of green jobs and skills.
Former CIWM President, Chief Sustainability & External Affairs Officer SUEZ UK Dr Adam Read MBE, highlighted problems that could arise from closing the group at the Resource & Waste Management Conference 2024.
The Institution also said that critical sectors, such as waste, circular economy, and water, are at risk of missing out on essential funding and attention if the government’s focus remains “disproportionately” on the energy sector.
To ensure a successful net zero transition, CIWM believes that the UK Government must address the skills pipeline in these sectors.
CIWM has outlined three “urgent” changes it said the UK Government should consider to accelerate progress.
These are to diversify the Apprenticeship Levy to create a Green Skills Fund, develop a UK Green Skills Roadmap, and invest in career attractiveness.
CIWM said a Green Skills Fund could be used flexibly for approved qualifications and training, careers advice and regional hubs.
The Institution said a Green Skills Roadmap is necessary to address the current job gap in the short and medium term.
A Roadmap would also provide certainty for professional bodies, training and education institutions and businesses to start investing in the development of courses, workforce and infrastructure to meet future demands, CIWM said.
As part of investing in career attractiveness, CIWM called for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to work closely with Skills England, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Department for Education to integrate green skills into the curriculum and career guidance programmes.
