Third Report - Green Jobs

The government's response details the cross-cutting nature of green jobs policies and how Green Jobs Taskforce recommendations informed the Spending Review and Net Zero Strategy. However, it does not address the committee's observation regarding the lack of a clear definition or metric for green jobs.

The government response details existing and planned skills and training initiatives, such as a £6.9m skills competition, Skills Bootcamps, and T Levels, aimed at developing a skilled workforce for green sectors. However, it does not provide a definition of 'green jobs' or outline how it will measure their number, type, and location as specifically recommended.

The government's response focuses on measures to mitigate carbon leakage, such as the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, and developing policy for product standards and public procurement. It does not address the committee's conclusion about the need for clear lines of responsibility and a coordination mechanism for green jobs across government.

The government's response refers to the Skills and Productivity Board's role in providing insights and monitoring green skills work. However, it does not set out detailed arrangements for cross-departmental delivery, specific departmental responsibilities, or mechanisms for monitoring, coordination, and collaboration with devolved administrations and local authorities as recommended.

The government's response focuses on the Skills for Jobs white paper and DWP's work to identify and promote green job opportunities, but it does not address the recommendation for departments to understand and assess delivery costs or local authority funding requirements for green jobs and skills.

The government states that while Green Jobs Taskforce recommendations informed Spending Review 2021 and Net Zero Strategy allocations, it is not possible to set out further indicative costings or funding requirements at this point due to ongoing policy development.

The government outlined its existing Net Zero Strategy and Plan for Jobs, aiming to support 440,000 green jobs by 2030 through skills reforms. DWP is exploring ways to align future labour market interventions with net zero goals, potentially developing a checklist.

The government notes that DWP is 'exploring opportunities' to better integrate net zero and environmental goals into the design stage of future labour market interventions, potentially through developing a checklist. However, this indicates consideration for future action rather than a firm commitment to immediately implement the recommendation.

The government acknowledges the concept of a National Nature Service and describes various related initiatives, including funding projects that support skills development in the nature sector, working with the sector to understand future skills needs, and the development of a Youth Environmental Service by other organisations, as well as a new National Education Nature Park.

The government is driving investment into the nature sector to create green jobs and highlights existing projects like the Green Recovery Challenge Fund. It notes that a group of organisations has secured funding to develop a pilot Youth Environmental Service, 'along the lines of a National Nature Service', and a National Education Nature Park has also been announced.

The government states an independent evaluation of the Green Homes Grant Voucher scheme is underway, with findings informing future scheme designs and lessons learned workshops. Industry engagement, as recommended, is being re-established through the Net Zero Buildings Council and other forums.

The government confirms an independent evaluation of the Green Homes Grant scheme is underway, with the first interim report due in early 2022, and states that findings are being used internally to inform future schemes and that industry engagement is being established via the Net Zero Buildings Council.

The government acknowledged the need for a skilled supply chain for retrofitting, citing a past £6.9m skills competition, existing Skills Bootcamps and T Levels covering retrofit, and ongoing work to monitor the market and develop training offers. The CITB is in early planning stages to develop green skills training modules for construction.

The government acknowledges the need for a skilled supply chain for building retrofit and outlines existing and ongoing initiatives, including a £6.9m skills competition, Skills Bootcamps, an Engineering for construction T Level, and improvements to apprenticeship levy transfers, to develop relevant skills in the construction trade.

The government confirms it is taking a strategic approach to understanding skills needed for the 25 Year Environment Plan as part of its statutory review, due by January 2023. Defra is actively working with DfE and other departments to identify and address skills gaps, and an interim update will be provided to Parliament.

The government stated it is undertaking a statutory review of the 25 Year Environment Plan, to be completed by January 2023, which will consider skills needs. Defra is working with DfE to identify key skills, and an interim update will be provided to Parliament in due course, rather than publishing the requested plan by March 2022.

The government stated its Net Zero Strategy outlines measures for a just transition, citing the Green Jobs Taskforce's regional assessment and Local Skills Improvement Plans. DWP is enhancing support for those at risk of redundancy into green jobs, and a cross-cutting delivery group has been announced to drive forward government plans for green jobs and skills.

The government refers to its Net Zero Strategy and Green Jobs Taskforce report for assessing impacts and outlines measures to support the transition. It mentions Local Skills Improvement Plans and the announcement of a cross-cutting delivery group with departmental membership to coordinate green jobs and skills plans, including those for broader environmental goals.

The government outlines existing and planned initiatives to address regional impacts of the net zero transition, including the Green Jobs Taskforce report which assessed regional effects, the introduction of Local Skills Improvement Plans, DWP considerations for supporting at-risk workers, and the establishment of a cross-cutting delivery group for green jobs and skills.

The government points to its Net Zero Strategy (Oct 2021) and the Green Jobs Taskforce report (July 2021) as outlining measures and assessing regional and sectoral impacts related to a just transition. It also highlights Local Skills Improvement Plans and the announcement of a cross-cutting delivery group to coordinate green jobs and skills plans across government.

The government acknowledges the importance of mitigating carbon leakage, detailing its current approach through the UK ETS and ongoing policy development. It outlines analysis and other mitigation options but does not specifically address the recommendation to consider a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).

The government did not commit to new analysis on CBAM compliance or a new just transition plan, instead stating it is already mitigating carbon leakage risks through existing ETS free allowances and compensation, and is further developing policy, including reviewing free allocations and referencing published analysis and existing commitments from the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy.

The government states that climate change and environment topics are already included in citizenship, science, and geography curricula, with flexibility for schools. It also highlights a draft Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy to improve climate education, including support for teachers and a Model Curriculum for Primary Science.

The government stated that environmental topics are already included in the National Curriculum and is developing a Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, due April 2022, which includes support for teachers, continuous professional development for science, and a Model Curriculum for Primary Science. DfE is also carrying out stakeholder engagement on the draft strategy.

The government committed to new initiatives to continue encouraging children's engagement with nature after the Children and Nature Programme closes, including the Climate Leaders Award, a National Education Nature Park, and the £2.5 million ‘Generation Green’ project. Learning from the previous programme will inform these new developments.

The government will not extend the Children and Nature programme, stating it will close in March 2022. Instead, it details other initiatives such as the new Climate Leaders Award, National Education Nature Park, and the £2.5 million ‘Generation Green’ project, which aim to achieve similar objectives for children's engagement with nature.

The government does not believe a generic sustainability module is appropriate across all apprenticeships and T-Levels, but sustainability elements are included where relevant. The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has published a Sustainability Framework and convened a Green Apprenticeship Advisory Panel to guide content and ensure green skills are delivered.

The government rejected the recommendation for a generic sustainability module across every apprenticeship and T Level course, stating it is not appropriate. It notes that sustainability elements are included where occupationally relevant, guided by its Sustainability Framework and the Green Apprenticeship Advisory Panel.

The government explained existing ELQ exemptions and committed to consulting on the detail and scope of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement (LLE) from 2025, which will include seeking views on amending restrictions on previous study to facilitate retraining.

The government does not commit to extending the ELQ exemption, instead deferring the issue to a future consultation on the Lifelong Loan Entitlement (LLE), which will be introduced in 2025, and mentions piloting short courses for upskilling in STEM as part of the LLE pathway.

The government explains that the existing Skills and Productivity Board is responsible for providing insights on skills policy, considering net zero targets, and continuously monitoring work on green skills. This addresses the committee's concern about the need for ongoing monitoring of future skills needs by highlighting an existing mechanism.

The government stated that the Skills and Productivity Board's existing role already includes considering net zero targets and monitoring work on green skills as part of its focus on longer-term strategic issues affecting productivity.

The government committed to developing evidence and stated the Office for National Statistics will refine the measurement of the green economy, including diversity, as the UK transitions to net zero. They will also continue to engage with industry and employers to raise awareness and inspire diversity in green careers.

The government states it will continue to engage with industry to ensure equal opportunity and that the ONS will 'seek to refine' its understanding and measurement of diversity within the green economy. It also mentions campaigns to raise awareness of green careers, but does not explicitly set out specific ambitions or a concrete measurement plan for diversity and inclusion by the recommended deadline.

The government acknowledges that work is underway across government to identify and address labour market barriers, including transport, and states they are working with employers to connect jobseekers with jobs, including green jobs.

The government acknowledges that work is underway across government to identify and address labour market barriers, including transport, and states they are working with employers to connect jobseekers with jobs, including green jobs.

The government rejected updating the 2017 Careers Strategy, stating it has been superseded by the 2021 Skills for Jobs white paper, which aims to deliver an enhanced careers programme aligned with net zero goals. DWP is already working to promote green job opportunities and ensure appropriate skills support.

The government rejects updating the Careers Strategy as it has been superseded by the Skills for Jobs white paper, but states they are creating an enhanced careers programme aligned with net zero goals and that DWP is promoting green job opportunities through jobcentres and youth hubs.