A new study has revealed that more than half (55%) of UK businesses believe that it is important for new staff to demonstrate their awareness of climate change. This finding comes as 57% of decision makers in a poll of 500 say that specialised green skills are essential to their businesses, but many are having difficulty finding the right people, particularly in areas such as sustainable engineering and finance.
To address this issue, more than one in four (27%) of decision makers are actively identifying opportunities and anticipating future business needs, while 26% are investing in professional training to upskill their existing workforce. Additionally, 23% are offering more on-the-job training and apprenticeships.
A separate poll of 2,000 employed adults conducted by recruitment firm Michael Page found that a quarter (27%) of workers are considering a green job as their next career move. However, many are unsure if they have the necessary skills to do so. Nearly half of those considering a green job (47%) are interested in work in the renewable energy sector, while others see sustainable investment and construction as viable options.
To ensure their skills are compatible with future green jobs, 28% of workers plan to undergo training related to their current specialism, and 26% are exploring online courses to achieve the necessary qualifications.
Joanna Bonnett, head of sustainability at PageGroup, has called for policy makers, businesses, and educational organisations to collaborate and invest in properly preparing the workforce for the green transition. She said, “Doing so will create a pipeline of talent that is ready for the jobs of the future and tackle the green skills shortage, which, if not addressed, could drastically slow down net zero efforts.”
The study also found that 43% of businesses remain committed to working towards their sustainability goals despite rising costs of living. These businesses have committed to reaching an average of five targets, with 40% citing long-term cost savings as the driving force behind implementing these goals. A third (33%) see it as an opportunity to future-proof their business.
Workers who are considering switching to green jobs cited witnessing the negative impacts to the environment (34%), documentaries about climate change (33%), and the changing job market (32%) as their primary motivations. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of those polled had started exploring green opportunities in just the last two years.
Bonnett added, “With one in five companies currently recruiting for green positions, it is clear they recognise the significance of the green transition, and importantly, the benefits it brings to their business and workforce.”
