UCU calls for urgent investment in green skills

The call came as the Greener Jobs Alliance (GLA) launches its Green Skills Manifesto at the TUC's Green Skills conference in Taunton.
 
The manifesto calls for:

• minister with responsibility for green skills to directly co-ordinate a training strategy that involves colleges and universities
• an increase in the number of apprenticeships for low-carbon industries
• the expansion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) university courses

Research published in 2009 warned that the UK had a green skills gap which was slowing its transition to a low-carbon economy.

Graham Petersen, GJA co-ordinator, said: 'Investing in green skills and jobs will help get the UK back on track economically and help fight climate change. This manifesto is an important starting point for the UK to achieve its stated aim of becoming a low-carbon economy.'

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'With unemployment at a record high there is huge potential for our low-carbon industries to generate jobs and opportunities that the country so desperately needs.

'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. Our colleges and universities are uniquely placed to provide green skills training but they must be given the necessary funding to do so.'

Notes
Green Skills Manifesto [1mb]