Employers and educators must collaborate to address green skills gap

With a green revolution clearly on the horizon, the construction industry faces a significant skills challenge.

Every job within this sector will, at some point, require specialist green skills – but is enough being done right now to secure and future-proof the industry?

Recent government commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 have placed green skills firmly on the national agenda.

Heat pump installation targets, stricter energy efficiency standards and a push for low-carbon materials have become key priorities. However, these measures are exposing a glaring skills gap.

I am a fully qualified joiner and now head of Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies (BEST), Engineering and Electrical at Chelmsford College.

With this experience, I am aware of the skills challenges we are facing and know that action needs to be taken if we are to meet these targets.

Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimates that an additional 350,000 construction workers will be needed to meet low-carbon goals. This includes building 1.5 million homes and retrofitting millions more over the next five years.

This challenge is not just about upskilling the current workforce, it’s also about attracting young people into the industry to create a pipeline of talent for the future.

In addition, many tradespeople, such as plumbers and electricians, are already inundated with work in more traditional methods.

For those in the latter stages of their careers, the incentive to diversify into areas such as heat pumps or low-carbon installations is often low, especially when these technologies are expensive and not yet a priority for most homeowners.

This creates a ‘we can see it coming but not just yet’ situation, which poses a real risk to our ability to meet demand for green skills within construction.

Further education (FE) colleges have a critical role to play in addressing this challenge within the construction industry.

We support people of all ages, from a variety of backgrounds, to gain the skills and knowledge they need to achieve their ambitions in a wide range of sectors – including 350 students at our college alone pursuing careers in construction.

Yet a further challenge for us is that any industry skills shortage is reflected in our recruitment of specialist tutors, making it even harder to scale up training provision to meet growing demand.

Skilled trade professionals are in such high demand across industry that attracting them into teaching roles, which are less financially lucrative, is not easy.

Therefore, tackling the green skills crisis requires a coordinated effort, with effective partnerships between employers and educators.

The construction industry must play an active role in shaping qualifications to reflect the changing landscape of construction.

Going forward, this will mean green skills and knowledge being fundamental components of every construction-related curriculum.

We work with a broad range of employers to help ensure that all our course content is relevant and aligned with industry demands, better preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities of a green economy.

For example, the Quantum Group, an installer of air source heat pumps and a retrofit specialist, has supported the college in designing our Renewable Energy Centre.

This has ensured that it aligns with industry standards and prepares trainees to hit the ground running once on site. 

2. Continuous professional development (CPD) for college staff 

To inspire our young people, we need tutors to have a strong understanding of emerging green skills and industry trends. This goes beyond teaching; it’s about sparking our students’ enthusiasm for the vast opportunities in green construction.

However, many tutors, despite being trained industry professionals, may not have worked directly in the field for some years.

Employers can help us address this gap by providing on-site CPD opportunities for tutors, giving them hands-on knowledge of new technologies and practices.

Recruiting vocational specialists is a growing challenge for most FE colleges, as tradespeople can earn more in the industry.

But by supporting CPD initiatives, employers can help us upskill our existing staff, improving both retention and the quality of education we can offer.

3. High-quality industry placements/employer engagement 

Real-world experience is vital to bridge the gap between theory and practice. We work with some fantastic employers who offer high-quality work placements, providing our students with hands-on exposure to industry.

These placements are mutually beneficial, allowing employers to identify and nurture potential talent, while students gain the practical skills and confidence they need to succeed.

Employers also host workshops at our college, set projects and run competitions – all of which give our young people genuine insight into the sector and the many career opportunities on offer.

4. Flexible use of the apprenticeship levy for employers 

As a college, we know that upskilling staff should be a priority for all employers, but financial constraints can limit opportunities.

A more flexible approach to the apprenticeship levy could provide much-needed support.

For instance, this could enable employers to use it to fund level 4 qualifications, such as Higher National Certificates. This would allow businesses to adapt more readily to the demands of the green agenda while equipping their workforce with advanced, specialised skills.

Collaboration with industry is vital if we are to deliver the high-quality green skills training necessary to grow the next generation of green construction experts – and ultimately meet the UK’s net-zero commitments.

For this to happen, policymakers must also step up, supporting employers to engage with educators by offering more incentives, encouraging them to take on apprentices and providing easier access to funding mechanisms.

This is an exciting and demanding time for the sector – but collaboration is key: it will take team work to make the green work.

Wendy Johnson is head of BEST, Engineering and Electrical at Chelmsford College.