This one day online conference will focus on next steps for developing green skills and employment opportunities in England, looking at meeting the needs of green industries and aligning with the legally binding 2050 net zero target.

It will be a timely opportunity for policymakers and stakeholders to discuss priorities following Skills England’s recent report predicting that around two in five workers will have a core role in delivering net zero or helping enable the transition, but warning that without action, employers would be unable to find staff with the necessary skills.

There will be discussion on government plans for a new Growth and Skills Levy, alongside foundation apprenticeships, with key considerations for Skills England in its role in determining which types of training would be eligible.

With concerns that employers are under-investing in green skills, sessions will assess the way forward for coordinating funding, qualification options and training opportunities, and identifying and reducing barriers to participation in the green labour market. The role of local government in supporting workforce development will also be discussed, as well as the potential impact of widening devolution on the identification and filling of local skills needs.

We expect discussion on wider priorities for policy development, with the CCC’s July 2024 report calling on the Government to publish a strategy to support net zero skills, and for an evidence-based Green Jobs Plan to outline sector skills gaps and barriers to inclusion in occupations needed for the transition.

Areas for discussion include clarity on definitions of green jobs, and what will be needed to achieve the high net growth in new jobs estimated to be created in low-carbon sectors by 2030, such as retrofitting buildings, renewable energy generation and the manufacturing of electric vehicles.

We also expect the agenda to bring out strategies for improving partnerships between further and higher education and employers for reskilling and upskilling the workforce, as well as priorities for public and private investment into green industries, and assessing the potential impact of the National Wealth Fund. The role of colleges in aligning training programmes with emerging policies and workforce demands will be considered, with heightened focus on green skills, including the potential for standardising training programmes and qualifications to establish clear routes to employment and a flexible approach to delivery.

We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Hugo Jones, Deputy Director, Green Growth, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; and Sarah Mukherjee, CEO, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. Further senior contributors are currently being approached.

Overall, areas for discussion include:
• the current green skills landscape:
     ◦ identifying areas for expansion and prioritisation - whether ambitions go far enough - what is needed from policy and key stakeholders if targets are to be achieved
• priorities for Skills England:
     ◦ simplifying the green skills qualification landscape - best practice in aligning funding, qualification options and training opportunities
     ◦ the likely effect of the reform of the Apprenticeship Levy - assessing the potential impact of the English Devolution Bill on the identification and fulfilment of skills gaps
• strategies to increase participation in the green labour market:
     ◦ improving partnerships between education providers and employers to upskill and retrain the existing workforce - qualification options for upskilling workers
     ◦ priorities for targeting underrepresented groups and widening diversity in green jobs - assessing the impact of recruitment campaigns - identifying barriers to participation
• priorities for funding green industries:
     ◦ assessing the potential impact of the National Wealth Fund - attracting private sector investment - identifying priority industries.

All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.

As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from Defra; DESNZ; DWP; DfE; IfATE; DBT; DfT; HM Treasury; Homes England; Planning Inspectorate; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.