Construction is the most exposed sector to increased demand and upskilling pressures resulting from the net zero transition
More skilled construction workers needed to achieve net zero
Share of jobs impacted by the transition to net zero in the UK economy, by sector*
The UK’s ambitions to achieve net zero by 2050 will significantly impact jobs in the construction sector, both by increasing demand for occupations but also requiring occupations to learn new skills. The LSE’s Grantham Institute on Climate Change and the Environment (ICCE) and the Place-Based Climate Action Network (PCAN) have estimated the proportion of jobs that will need ‘upskilling’ (those that will need major changes in skills and knowledge) and those that will be ‘in demand’ (existing jobs that will be in high demand as a result of transitioning to net zero). They identified that around 29% of construction sector jobs would require upskilling as a result of the transition to net zero and around 30% would be in demand. This was the highest proportion of jobs being impacted in a sector across the economy, at 59%. These figures indicate the need for young people to enter into careers in construction, as well as measures implemented to encourage current workers to stay and learn new skills.
In demand Requiring upskilling
Hospitality Health Education Arts, entertainment, recreation Retail Agriculture Finance IT Public administration Professional, scientific, technical Property Business administration Wholesale Mining, quarrying, utilities Transport Motor trades Manufacturing Construction
Net zero policies will increase demand on certain occupations
Within the construction sector, certain occupations will be in higher demand than others as a result of the UK’s transition to net zero. Commitments made in the previous government’s Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener policy paper indicate some of the construction skilled occupations that may experience an increase in demand. For example, commitments included phasing out the installation of new natural gas boilers by 2035 and ensuring all heating systems are compatible with net zero by 2050. This will increase demand for skills related to plumbing and heat pump installation. Another pledge was upgrading fuel poor homes to EPC Band C by 2030, which will increase the demand for occupations such as glaziers for installing double and triple glazing. Increased demand for these occupations could create further skills gaps and shortages if the UK fails to attract or train more skilled workers.
Sources: Capital Economics and LSE Grantham Institute on Climate Change and the Environment (ICCE) and Place-Based Climate Action Network *Figures in the chart estimated from: https://pcancities.org.uk/tracking-local-employment- green-economy-pcan-just-transition-jobs-tracker 0 20 40
20
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker