SummitSkills welcomes new report on low carbon transition

The report sets out the urgency for a restructuring of the UK economy as a means of addressing climate change obligations, rising unemployment and reducing labour market inequality. It investigates the impact that the transition to a low carbon economy could have on jobs and employment and identifies the opportunities which need to be taken. It also indicates that without effective Government intervention, the UK will struggle to benefit from new green industries.

Furthermore, the IPPR assesses that new job opportunities will be provided for those who need them the most, such as the long-term unemployed and those lacking higher level skills, due to the fact that green jobs are likely to offer career progression opportunities. The IPPR recommends that the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and careers advice specialists work together to develop sector-specific career ladders for low carbon growth sectors.

Keith Marshall OBE, chief executive of SummitSkills, comments: "We mirror the IPPR's recommendations for the Government to work alongside SSCs and employers in the transition to a low carbon economy, including the development of the national skills strategies.

A Government White Paper published this year stated that some 1.2 million people could be in green jobs and 40% of electricity will come from low carbon sources by the end of the next decade. The opportunity for employers in the sector to take advantage of this demand for renewable energy technologies is huge, but employers need to ensure people are equipped with the right skills in advance.

It is vital that the sector invests in skills training now to maintain productivity and ensure that we don't fall behind foreign competition and damaging our chances of a fast recovery when the UK recovers from the economic downturn."