On The Road To Net Zero And The Need For a Skilled Workforce
3 November 2022
When the Met Office recorded for the first time temperature of the UK exceeded 40 °C in July 2022, not only the scientific community but also the public agreed that climate change is a real deal. The world needs to go further and faster to tackle the problem.
Our government has set an ambitious goal: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the economy to reach net zero by 2050. The UK will be the first major economy to create new jobs, develop new industries with innovative technologies and become a more energy-secure nation with clean green British energy. The bell for the Green Industrial Revolution has been struck, and Manchester is at the forefront of the race. By committing to be a zero-carbon city by 2038 at the latest, our city’s goal is 12 years ahead of the government’s target.
According to “Growing the Green Economy – An Untapped Opportunity”, a report by Green Economy on June 2022, to achieve the goal of net zero emission, an estimated £350-400bn investment will be required to decarbonise our homes, workspaces, transport networks and energy systems. In addition, a further 700,000 jobs could be created in the UK’s Low Carbon and Environmental Goods and Services (LCEGS) sector within the next decade as we transition to net zero.
In the case of Greater Manchester, heating is the single most significant source of carbon emissions, creating 36% of the region’s overall emissions, totaling 2.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. To meet its ambitious 2038 carbon-neutral target, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has recognised the need to improve the energy performance of nearly 1.2 million largely pre-1980s homes – 62,000 annually. The major obstacle was the absence of a suitably skilled labour force and contractors.
As one of the largest providers of work-based learning for young people and adults, the Growth Company Education and Skills has 30 years of experience working with businesses of different sectors and industries to upskill their workforce. We understand that training and skills are essential for your business to innovate and thrive.
Through partnership and collaboration, we deliver a high-quality service that meets the needs of your business, employees and customers, allowing you to seize the opportunities and face the challenges presented by the global transition to a carbon-neutral economy. We are delighted to share the news of our latest Skill Bootcamps on Green Technology, launched early this month. It is a flexible course of up to 16 weeks, allowing people to build up specific skills in Green Technology designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to start your career or upskill to enhance your career in this industry.
Besides the Skill Bootcamp, I have another great news to share. As part of a pan-northern effort to lead the UK’s transition to net zero, the long-awaited Green Skills Academy in Trafford Park will be ready later this year. The first of its kind in the North, the Green Skills Academy will house the latest green technology equipment for businesses and individuals to gain the knowledge and skills to place Greater Manchester at the forefront of emerging technologies including Air Source Heat Pumps, EV Charging, Solar PV and Wind Turbine training. The Green Skills Academy will be your one-stop campus to support the community of Manchester to become a carbon zero city.
We understand the need for a workforce equipped with the right skills to enable businesses to seize the opportunity that arises from the transition. From fully funded training courses with no cost to your bottom line to apprenticeships and higher-level qualifications, look at our wide range of courses to help your people grow and prosper.
For more information on:
Future proof your business – Apprenticeships and training for your business
4483_future_proof_your_business-v4finalfinal.pdf (gceducationandskills.ac.uk)
Skill Bootcamp on Green Technology
Skills Bootcamps (Wave 3) (gceducationandskills.ac.uk)
Green Skill Academy
Green Skills Academy (gceducationandskills.ac.uk)
GC involvement in the GM Green Summit