Fewer than half of UK manufacturers are confident that current training on offer will help them reach net-zero targets, according to a new report published today.
‘Unlocking The Skills Needed For A Digital And Green Future’ is written by Make UK, the group championing British manufacturers. They will brief Metro Mayor Dan Norris on the challenges for West of England businesses and their recommendations for action to improve workers’ digital and green skills.
A key recommendation from the report is for the government to transform the education and training market. Mr Norris, who has Mayoral responsibility for skills, will back their call for government action, and update MakeUK on his plans for the region, including his Green Recovery Fund, a new interactive skills portal, and commissioning skills training to fill gaps.
On a visit to Knorr Bremse, an Emersons Green-based business that supplies braking systems for commercial vehicles Metro Mayor Dan Norris said:
“Workers tell me how keen they are to gain new skills so they can do their bit to tackle the climate emergency and help us meet our ambitious net zero targets. Job roles are changing and people are adapting to meet the needs of a world in which tackling climate change is not a bolt-on, but a fundamental part of everything we do.
I welcome this report from MakeUK and will continue to work with them to lobby government to give our region the tools and resources we need to improve regional skills provision. Skills programmes are best delivered locally as we know what we need. I don’t want a top-down national approach, I want a bespoke West of England plan. Working with organisations like MakeUK, trade unions and businesses my ambition is to bring 23,000 new green jobs to the West of England.”