REA comments on the newly formed Government Green Jobs Taskforce
Today, the Government announced the creation of a new Green Jobs Taskforce, aimed at addressing the “immediate and longer-term challenges of delivering skilled workers for the UK’s transition to Net Zero”. The taskforce will be comprised of industry, employees and representatives from the skills sector.
Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, Chief Executive of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) said:
“We welcome the Government’s formation of a Green Jobs Taskforce, which will aim to help deliver on the Government’s recently set ambition to create 2 million green jobs by 2030. As the renewable energy and clean technologies sectors continue to grow, having access to skilled labour and technical expertise is of vital importance. In REview 2020, our annual report on the Renewable Energy Sector we found that in 2017/18 there were 128,954 people employed in the sector, accounting for over 6,600 companies and £18.8 billion in investment. These numbers have been steadily increasing over the last five years, but it is clear that these will need to increase substantially if we are to meet the UK’s Net Zero challenge.
The REA looks forward to working with the participants of this taskforce, as well as officials across Whitehall to ensure the delivery of a skilled and diverse workforce that is fit for the future.”
ENDS
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Frank Gordon, Head of Policy at REA
Notes to editors
The REA’s REview 2020 report can be found here.
About the REA
The REA is the UK’s largest trade association for renewable energy and clean technologies with around 550 members operating across heat, transport, power and the Circular Economy. The REA is a not-for-profit organisation that represents renewable energy and clean technology companies operating in over fourteen sectors, ranging from biogas and renewable fuels to solar and electric vehicle charging. Membership ranges from major multinationals to sole traders.