Partnership is the only way to meet the net-zero skills challenge

This is a guest blog by Donna Murrell, Managing Director at Reed in Partnership.

The net zero challenge presents a significant opportunity to create new possibilities for communities, particularly in areas of social deprivation. The transition to a green economy can tackle issues like youth unemployment and reinvigorate local economies by harnessing diverse skills. The UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) estimates up to 725,000 new jobs could emerge by 2030 in low-carbon sectors such as retrofitting buildings, renewable energy, and manufacturing electric vehicles.

But this transition won’t occur on its own. A deliberate effort is needed to ensure a fair and inclusive transition, especially through reskilling the workforce and addressing shortages in critical fields like energy and construction. A hands-off approach, as the CCC warns, will not suffice.

It will require focused action. For instance, workers in deprived areas will only benefit from new jobs if they can access training to upskill. Yet, challenges like the lack of accessible training and barriers faced by low-paid workers hinder progress. Adult participation in learning has dropped significantly over the past decade, and this trend needs to be reversed.

Another issue is the lack of diversity in key net zero occupations. Only five per cent of construction workers come from Black, Asian, or minority ethnic backgrounds, and just one per cent of on-site workers are women. With the construction sector set to lose a quarter of its workforce in the next 10-15 years, there is an urgent need to diversify and attract more skilled tradespeople. Addressing these challenges requires ambitious partnerships at all levels—between government, training providers, employers, and community organisations.

Collaborations are essential to shift demand for net zero work, such as retrofitting homes, while ensuring a sufficient supply of skilled workers. Initiatives like the National Retrofit Hub and the Electrification Skills Forum demonstrate the potential of innovative national partnerships.

So to help close the green skills gap, Reed in Partnership launched Reed Environment, a new division focused on training the workforce for the net zero transition.

In collaboration with Oxford Energy Academy, they provide apprenticeships and over 200 upskilling programs in energy and renewables, focusing on critical areas like solar panel installation, heat pump technology, and retrofit assessment. Reed Environment aims to address the growing need for skilled trades like plumbers, electricians, and gas engineers, all of which are essential for the UK’s shift to renewable energy.

Reed Environment’s work is expanding, with the recent opening of the East Anglia Energy Academy in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, providing more students with access to green skills training.

By partnering with local businesses, schools, and community groups, they are helping develop the green skills supply chain. These roles offer promising career prospects while allowing individuals to contribute to tackling climate change and benefiting the economy.

Through strong partnerships, a fair and inclusive net zero transition is within reach.