The UK government has announced its new Clean Energy Jobs Plan, which aims to create an additional 400,000 jobs in the green sector by 2030. The plan includes initiatives to recruit and train workers for the clean energy economy, responding to the increased demand driven by both government and private sector investment in areas such as renewables and nuclear energy.
The plan identifies 31 priority occupations that are in high demand, including roles such as plumbers, electricians, and welders. According to the government, entry-level positions in the clean energy sector typically offer salaries that are 23% higher than similar roles in other industries.
Key initiatives in the plan include the establishment of five new Technical Excellence Colleges to train young people for essential roles in the sector. Additionally, there is a programme designed to help veterans transition into careers in solar panel installation, wind turbine manufacturing, and nuclear power. A £20 million investment will support the upskilling of oil and gas workers for new roles in clean energy. Tailored schemes are also set to assist ex-offenders, school leavers, and the unemployed.
The plan also proposes measures to ensure strong pay, terms, and conditions for jobs in the clean energy sector. This includes extending employment protections currently enjoyed by offshore oil and gas workers beyond UK territorial seas to those in the clean energy sector. A new Fair Work Charter, developed in collaboration with offshore wind developers and trade unions, aims to ensure that companies receiving public funding provide decent wages and robust workplace rights. Workforce criteria will also be included in grants and procurement processes.
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stated, “Communities have long been calling out for a new generation of good industrial jobs. The clean energy jobs boom can answer that call – and today we publish a landmark national plan to make it happen.”
For more detailed information, you can access the [UK’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-energy-jobs-plan).
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