Jean Lambert MEP yesterday opened the Green Party conference in
London, where she launched her new report, Green Work. The publication
calls for greater investment in green industries and skills for workers
to help transform the UK to a low-carbon economy.
The new research has found that there is huge potential for job
creation in green industries like wind and solar power, which is not
yet being exploited. The report also warns of a skills gap in the UK
which will hold back our ability to capitalise on the green revolution
unless it is addressed now.
The UK is currently lagging far behind its European neighbours in terms
of green jobs. For instance, in Germany there are currently 250,000
jobs in renewable energy, while in the UK there are 26,000 at best.
Forty per cent of the wind capacity in the EU is in the UK, yet it
produces only 4% of current wind energy. Up to 48,000 jobs could be
created across the UK in the wind power industry alone. However the UK
is facing skills shortages in the renewable energy sector as a result
of an historic lack of investment in all levels of skills development
in engineering and the trades.
Jean Lambert MEP, who sits on the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee, said:
"The UK renewable energy programme is likely to be hit by skills shortages unless the Government revitalises apprenticeships, working with SMEs and ensuring employer buy-in to overcome to the skills gaps."
"Clearly what is needed is a comprehensive green skills action plan for the renewables sector, delivered with significant state funding. It is essential to increase the pool of people with STEM qualifications - science, technology, engineering and maths - for subsequent training in specialised green industries, such as renewable energy."
Jean Lambert was joined at the launch by Sarah Pearce from the TUC's Green Workplaces project, who highlighted the importance of trade union 'green representatives' in the workplace. Gordon Edge from the British Wind Energy Association and Tony Thomas, Professor at London South Bank University in Engineering, Science and the Built Environment completed the panel.
The Green Party Conference is taking place at SOAS at the University of London from Friday 5th to Monday 8th September. To find out more go to http://www.greenparty.org.uk/nextconference