The Green Skills Action Plan: equipping NI’s workforce for 58,000 jobs by 2035
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What does it take to unlock 58,000 new jobs in Northern Ireland? We need the people, we need the skills, and now there’s a plan.
Gordon Parkes from NIE Networks is the Chair of the Green Skills Delivery Group, which was established by the Department for Economy and is part of the Northern Ireland Skills Council (NISC).
It was set up in recognition of the transition to net zero emissions and the subsequent need to shape the green sector workforce and provide skills insights.
In May of this year the Group launched the Green Skills Action Plan with research indicating that the green economy will create 58,000 new jobs in Northern Ireland by 2035.
Gordon Parkes expands on the skills challenge that net zero presents: “In a fast paced and constantly evolving skills landscape there is a clear need for an actionable strategy to outline priorities and steps required to achieve our goals.
To achieve net zero by 2050 requires a radical review of how we equip our workforce of the future to meet these unprecedented challenges. It will take a combined and concerted effort from government, industry and academia. Crucial to the implementation will be a commitment from all stakeholders to engage, collaborate, lead by example and champion the cause of green skills for a sustainable future.
Green Skills Action Plan at a glance
The Action Plan provides a comprehensive framework to guide stakeholders as to what is needed to deliver the skills and the jobs for the future. It identifies 28 actions across four priority areas as follows;
- The skills eco system
- A partnership approach to ensure a skills system that is responsive to changing needs
- Promoting awareness of careers
- Opportunities in the green jobs and green skills and developing a skilled workforce.
Gordon explains it as presenting “a once in a generation opportunity to create an integrated green skills system that works effectively for individuals, business and the economy.”
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How the plan will work
Initially the plan focuses on three of the green economic sectors; large-scale energy production, infrastructure and domestic low carbon technologies and energy efficiency. A lot of the skills required for these sectors will be transferable to the other sectors, including specific skills in engineering and electrical as well as transversal skills such as leadership and management and project management.
Indeed, integrating green skills into all job sectors and not just those directly linked with the traditional green industries is crucial for fostering a sustainable economy. Delivering the relevant knowledge to each sector including the use of sustainable materials, waste reduction techniques, energy conservation, sustainable farming techniques and optimising supply chains to reduce emissions will help minimise the environmental impact and meet the net zero targets.
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Collaboration to deliver
The Green Skills Delivery Group has established four Lead Groups to progress on the recommendations in the Action Plan. This includes over 50 individuals involving representatives from employers, education, government, trade unions and employers representatives.
Skills are a fundamental enabler for the net zero target. If we don’t have enough people with the right skills it won’t happen.
“The Green Skills sector has a hugely exciting future but we need the best skilled talent and enthusiastic re-skilled experts to ensure the sector and the wider economy in Northern Ireland reaches its full potential. It is important that all employers within the sector, government and the education sector collaborate effectively and take ownership of developing the talent pipelines. It’s the right thing to do for our people and for the planet.”
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