The UK Government has made an international commitment to be net zero by 2050.

To support this aim the Government’s jobs and skills agenda has a clear focus on the Green Economy and the vital role it can play in addressing climate change and supporting recovery from COVID.

Green innovation will lead to new green jobs across the economy with the UK government launching the new Green Jobs Taskforce to support the creation of 2 million skilled jobs nationally to build back greener and reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Our area is a centre of energy innovation and low carbon adoption, with national assets such as The Stoke-on-Trent District Heat Network and Keele University’s Smart Energy Network Demonstrator.

In Staffordshire there is expected to be high demand for roles in low-carbon heat, solar PV, retrofitting home insultation, electric vehicle transition and hydrogen technologies.

Staffordshire net zero skills for growth study

Staffordshire County Council is leading on a study in partnership with Keele University, to establish a net zero roadmap that identifies the key programmes of work needed to achieve net zero. The roadmap will provide the framework for a strategy to include interim and longer-term targets and policies to achieve net zero. The study is funded by Innovate UK and Staffordshire County Council.  Alongside this net zero roadmap will be a detailed understanding of existing net zero skills activity, opportunities, and gaps, as well as exploration of potential levers to address the identified skills, capability and capacity gaps and ensure the longevity and longer-term impact from this Pathfinder project. Green skills are of higher value to both the individual and the economy as a whole, whilst delivering the net zero future we all need to live.  The study is due to commence in April 24 to be concluded within 16 months.

Rodbaston Green Village

£1.6m Getting Building Fund will be used to create a state-of-the-art environment for world-class skills delivery to equip the local workforce with skills needed to make the transition from carbon-based plumbing and transport technologies to carbon-free net zero technologies by 2023 in line with the Government’s commitment.

The Green Village, based at Rodbaston College in Penkridge, will train electricians, plumbers, vehicle technicians and construction workers of the future.

The centre will be equipped with the latest advancements in energy efficiency such as photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging, air and ground source heat pump installations and hydrogen boilers as well as energy distribution and management systems. Alongside this core training for electricians, plumbers, vehicle technicians, and construction workers, we're also offering supplementary courses tailored to meet the evolving demands of sustainable technologies. These additional training opportunities encompass specialised modules in renewable energy systems, energy-efficient building practices, advanced HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technologies, and sustainable infrastructure development for homes of the future.

A range of free, funded, and full-cost courses will be on offer to help upskill fully trained tradespeople. The Green Village is scheduled to open in the Autumn of 2024.