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UCU calls on government to invest more in green skills

12 November 2020

UCU today said the government must invest in green skills as a way to drive the economy through the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing climate crisis.

UCU was responding to a report published this week by the Labour Party which called for a stimulus package to train workers and deliver high skilled jobs. The union welcomed calls for greater emphasis on adult education and more co-ordination locally amongst providers, as well as stronger rights for workers to ask for time off to retrain.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Investing in green skills and jobs is a critical step in addressing the climate crisis and in helping get the UK back on track economically following the impact of Covid-19. There is huge potential for our low-carbon industries to generate jobs and opportunities that the country so desperately needs, but this can only be done with proper commitment from government.

'The UK's future is not as a low-wage, low-skill economy and we need to invest now in the industries that will see us emerge as a dominant force in the future. Further, adult and higher education are uniquely placed to provide green skills training but must be given the necessary funding and support to do so.'

Last updated: 13 November 2020