Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to retrain the workforce to ensure that the UK has the right skills in the right areas to transition to a low-carbon economy.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Education)

Skills is a devolved matter. This response outlines the information for England only.

The government is committed to the UK becoming a Clean Energy Superpower, achieving clean power by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The government is working to ensure that the current and future skills system in England supports workers to retrain for the low carbon economy. This includes the new growth and skills offer, which will prioritise investment that supports economic growth, increases opportunity, better meets employers’ skills needs, and increases investment in skills shortage areas. The Autumn Budget 2024 announced an investment of £40 million to help deliver new foundation and shorter apprenticeships in key sectors, an additional £300 million for our further education (FE) sector, as well as £300 million of capital funding for FE condition, to support the development of the skills the country needs.

Over 40 of the occupational standards that underpin technical education in England are directly supportive of the clean energy industry. Others support insulation and energy efficiency in construction.

The government is committed to delivering the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, which will launch in the 2026/27 academic year for courses starting from January 2027. This will broaden access to high-quality, flexible education and training by providing funding for full courses as well as modules of high-value courses. Skills Bootcamps are available to support the workforce to gain new skills, including skills for the low carbon economy.

Skills England is a new national body which will bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all the regions and create a shared national ambition to boost England’s skills. It will provide authoritative assessments of skills needs; ensure a comprehensive suite of apprenticeships, training, and technical qualifications; and work with devolved areas and regional organisations to ensure skills needs are met. Skills England will work closely with the Office for Clean Energy Jobs at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which has been set up with a focus on developing a skilled workforce in core energy and net zero sectors. Skills England published its first report in September, highlighting the skills needed to support targets on net zero, the Clean Energy Mission and UK targets for environmental improvements.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has designated employer representative bodies (ERBs) to lead Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) across England. Education and training providers must have regard to the LSIP when making decisions on provision that may be relevant to the skills, capabilities or expertise required now or in the future in their area.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government how the work of the Office for Clean Energy Jobs will complement, and contribute to preparing the UK workforce for, the transition to net zero.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Office for Clean Energy Jobs (OCEJ) has been created to ensure that clean energy jobs are abundant, high quality, paid fairly, and have favourable terms and good working conditions.

The OCEJ is engaging widely with industry, experts, and trade unions for a clear assessment of the skills opportunities and challenges. It is working closely with Skills England to ensure that skills systems reforms support the clean energy transition.

The OCEJ will also set out targeted interventions to support specific skills needs in the clean energy workforce. It recently announced support for the Energy Skills Passport to support oil and gas workers into new roles in the clean energy sector.

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