The Green Edge Election Special
We're off to the polls. Whosoever wins, we hope they get their green fingers out.
In a slight remove from our usual routine, we’re dropping this post at 7am on Thursday 4th July 2024, to coincide with the opening of the polls for the general election. Around 10pm this evening, the exit poll results from across the UK’s 650 constituencies should give us some sort of picture of how the next parliament will be balanced (or not); and our guess is that the first-past-the-post result that allows the next prime minister to punch the air in this odd, outdated, quasi-democratic system of ours will come not too many hours later – most likely sooner than in the last few elections.
Notwithstanding our personal leanings, we remain politically neutral here on The Green Edge. We prefer to carry a (small-ish) chip on each shoulder and to maintain a healthy measure of optimistic scepticism around whatever we hear from politicians about what we – and many others – consider to be the most important issue of our times: the restoration of a sustainable planet. Lately, it has to be said, we haven’t heard much.
Cartoon from The Daily Telegraph, June 2024
So, as a kind of aide-mémoire offering to the leaders of our next government, whatever colour tie, scarf or other accoutrement of party affiliation they may be wearing, here are our thoughts about what we’d like to see happening over the next five years as regards green skills, jobs and employment. With apologies to certain previous prime ministers for overflowing the number of fingers and thumbs they thought were the capacity for the British people to count up to, our list comes out at a round dozen.
1. Policy Certainty, Mandates, and Key Trigger Dates
To foster investment and drive demand in green sectors, the UK needs clear policy directives. In our view, these should be orchestrated by expert bodies like the Climate Change Committee in collaboration with the Office for Budget Responsibility. Key areas of focus should include transitioning to heat pumps and replacing fossil fuel boilers, transitioning from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs), and ensuring new homes and buildings are net zero compliant. Establishing clear trigger dates for these initiatives will provide the necessary certainty for businesses and investors to commit resources and drive forward the green transition.
2. Building Transition Momentum and Ensuring Equity
Beyond mere policy, though, the green transition needs to build a head of steam. It requires broad engagement and understanding among the public and stakeholders. It’s also essential to manage the transition equitably, ensuring those impacted by the shift have access to new opportunities. This includes retraining programs, equitable distribution of access to green jobs, and support systems for communities transitioning away from traditional industries.
3. Enhancing Local Capacity and Capability
Local areas must have the capacity to tailor interventions to their unique needs and priorities. Utilising existing local skills demand and supply plans can help cement networks of providers and employers, ensuring investments are directed where they are most needed. We believe a localised approach will foster the development of skills and jobs that align with both local and national priorities.
4. Leveraging Open Data and Up-to-Date Occupational Information
To accelerate skills development across the UK, there needs to be an emphasis on open data and modernised occupational information systems. The UK can draw lessons from systems like O*NET in the United States and ESCO in Europe, as well as refinements made in Singapore. These systems provide detailed and up-to-date information on job roles and the skills required, helping to guide both policy and educational initiatives.
5. Establishing National Leadership for Skills and Work
We’d love to see a new non-departmental, UK-wide entity established to provide national leadership and ownership of skills and workforce development. This would drive towards an effective skills system, utilising tools like the European Skills Index to assess progress and set priorities. We firmly believe that centralising this leadership would go a long way towards ensuring coherence and strategic direction across the four nations.
6. Building on the Work of the Green Jobs Taskforce
The Green Jobs Taskforce and the Green Jobs Delivery Group have laid a strong foundation, despite numerous political stops and starts over the last few years. A national workforce and skills plan for the transition to net zero is essential. This plan should establish priority occupations that can inform national funding arrangements and guide the Migration Advisory Committee’s priority list. Clear direction and support from these bodies will be critical in aligning the workforce with net zero goals and progress towards a circular economy.
7. Optimising the Apprenticeship Levy
The apprenticeship levy should be targeted towards work entry and younger cohorts to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers. Surplus levy funds should be pooled locally and through a supply chain approach that encourages co-operation and tailored solutions. This approach maximises the impact of the levy and ensures it supports the development of essential green skills.
8. Establishing Investment Benchmarks for Education and Skills
A cross-party agreement on the levels of national wealth to be invested in education and skills is crucial. Much like the discussions around research and development investment, these benchmarks should be refined for specific sectors and occupations. This could even extend to defining Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours per job holder per year, ensuring ongoing skills development.
9. Incentivising Skills Investment
To encourage both individual and employer investment in skills development, we would propose tax incentives and matched funding. These incentives could vary by sector and region, aligning with specific needs and opportunities. New financial models should be explored to reduce barriers to clean tech investment while also funding, in part, the necessary skills development.
10. Utilising Technology for Skills Development
Technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and educational technology (EdTech), should be harnessed to forecast future skills needs, set priorities, generate course content, and format curricula. These tools can also assist with assessment, accelerating skills acquisition and reinforcement. Embracing technological advancements will be key to keeping the workforce up-to-date and future-ready.
11. Widespread Sustainability Education
A significant mindset shift is required for the transition to net zero and the development of a circular economy. This necessitates widespread sustainability education across all educational institutions. From schools to universities, all students should become sustainability literate and competent, ensuring the next generation is prepared to lead in a green economy.
12. Maximising State Procurement Influence
State procurement can be a powerful lever for driving the transition to net zero. By setting open criteria for supplier eligibility and the products and services provided, state procurement can incentivise businesses to adopt greener practices and technologies. This not only drives demand for green products and services but also sets a standard for private sector procurement.
The transition to a green economy is both an urgent necessity and a tremendous opportunity for the UK. We see the implementation of these twelve priorities as being a way to ensure that the workforce is equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a green economy, drive sustainable economic growth, and meet our net zero goals.
Now is the time for decisive action and strategic investment in our people and our future. We hope our new government thinks likewise.