The UK government has launched its inaugural national Clean Energy Jobs Plan, aiming to generate over 400,000 additional jobs in the burgeoning clean energy sector by 2030. The comprehensive strategy outlines measures to train and recruit a new generation of workers, with the overarching goal of doubling the clean energy workforce to 860,000 within the next five years.
This initiative is a critical component of the UK’s mission to become a clean energy superpower, backed by substantial investment in renewables, nuclear, and carbon capture technologies.
Doubling the Green Workforce by 2030
The Clean Energy Jobs Plan forecasts a significant increase in employment, projecting the clean energy workforce to almost double from approximately 440,000 jobs in 2023 to 860,000 by 2030. This represents an average annual job increase of around 10% between 2023 and 2030. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband highlighted that these aren’t merely targets but are deemed necessary to meet the UK’s extensive clean energy commitments.
The plan identifies 31 priority occupations that will be in high demand, including skilled trades such as plumbers, electricians, welders, engineers, and metal workers. Plumbers, heating and ventilation installers are particularly sought after, with an estimated need for an additional 8,000 to 10,000 by 2030. Carpenters, electricians, and welders follow closely, requiring an additional 4,000 to 8,500 of each.
Key Pillars of the Clean Energy Jobs Plan
The government’s strategy encompasses several key initiatives designed to build a skilled and diverse clean energy workforce:
Investing in Skills and Training
A central part of the plan is the establishment of five new Clean Energy Technical Excellence Colleges to train the next generation of workers. These colleges are part of a broader drive to ensure two-thirds of young people engage in higher-level learning. Furthermore, tailored schemes will be introduced for veterans, ex-offenders, school leavers, and the unemployed to facilitate their entry into the clean energy sector. This includes a pilot led by Mission Renewable to connect veterans and service leavers with clean energy careers, particularly in the East of England.
Supporting Oil and Gas Workers Transition
Recognizing the expertise within existing energy sectors, the plan allocates up to £20 million in funding from the UK and Scottish Governments to aid the transition of North Sea oil and gas workers into clean energy roles. This funding will provide bespoke careers advice, training, and “skills passports” to ensure workers can transfer their qualifications seamlessly, with nearly all of the estimated 40,000 jobs expected to disappear from the declining oil and gas industry by the early 2030s being transferable with a few months of additional training.
Regional Skills Pilots
To address specific regional needs, £2.5 million will be invested in skills pilot schemes across Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire. These pilots aim to fund training centers, courses, and career advisers to support individuals moving into clean energy.
Promoting Quality Jobs and Trade Union Recognition
The government emphasizes that companies receiving public grants and contracts will be required to create “good jobs” across the clean energy sector. The plan also aims to promote greater trade union recognition and collective bargaining within the clean energy industry, reversing a decline in union coverage from over 70% in the 1990s to around 30% today in the broader energy sector.
Economic Impact and Future Outlook
The clean energy sector is already demonstrating significant economic benefits, with average salaries in wind, nuclear, and electricity networks exceeding £50,000, substantially higher than the UK average of £37,000. Entry-level “green” roles offer a 23% average pay premium in about 60% of occupations. The initiative is expected to revitalize industrial heartlands and coastal communities, creating well-paid, secure jobs.
Since July 2024, the UK has secured over £50 billion in private investment for clean energy, underscoring the confidence in the sector’s growth. The Office for Clean Energy Jobs (OCEJ) has been established within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to drive progress, coordinate efforts, and ensure job quality.
Challenges and Criticisms
While widely welcomed, the plan has also faced some criticism. The waste and recycling sector, for instance, has expressed concern about being “overlooked” in the strategy, arguing that it plays a crucial role in the “circularity” of the green economy and the supply of materials needed for clean energy infrastructure. Calls have been made for a more ambitious program of public investment to complement the skills and training initiatives.
The UK government is also reportedly weighing whether to scale back its 2030 clean power target due to concerns over high financing costs and inflation, which could impact the commissioning of new renewable capacity. However, the 2030 clean power pledge remains a central element of the Labour party’s energy strategy.
Despite these challenges, the Clean Energy Jobs Plan represents a significant step towards securing a sustainable and prosperous future for the UK, harnessing the economic potential of the green industrial revolution.
