Welsh Government announces new plan for the skills needed to work in the "net zero" jobs of tomorrow

The Action Plan will prioritise seven key areas of action:

• Gain an understanding of the current skills position for each emission sector - this will set out the skills position for each of the eight emission sectors, what skills are needed in the short, medium, and long term and how to achieve this through continued partnership working
• Build a shared understanding of net zero skills across Wales – this will help businesses, employees and school leavers understand what is meant by green/net zero jobs and the skills required
• Grow a skilled workforce to meet net zero commitments – this will involve responding to the growing demand from businesses for more people to have net zero skills. This will involve supporting people to upskill in existing sectors and utilise their existing skills and qualifications to help the transition within sectors. To deliver this, the government has invested an additional £10m in Personal Learning Accounts this year to upskill workers to meet the skills gaps
• Strengthen the skills system – the Welsh Government is exploring options on how apprenticeship frameworks can further meet the net zero commitments. In addition, it will look to strengthen the offer of short courses to top-up net zero skills for young apprentices’ in new and emerging technologies and techniques through Personal Learning Accounts
• Promote opportunities for early years and young people to realise their potential – as part of Wales’ new curriculum, this will involve motivating, engaging, and equipping children and young people to effectively understand their future career options, and the world of work in the industries of the future
• Cross government and partnership approach to meet our skills commitment – this will involve continuing a partnership approach across the whole economy
• Just transition – this will mean no-one is left behind. This will involve ensuring individuals are part of the conversation, by promoting a positive culture that champions fairness and equality to drive forward change.

Launching the new plan, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said:

“The Welsh Government is determined to ensure we build a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales, where no one is left behind. We’ve committed to creating a Wales where individuals of all ages can receive a high-quality education, with jobs for all and where businesses can thrive in a net zero economy that champions fairness and equality.

“The Net Zero Skills plan I am unveiling today is designed to ensure today’s children and workers will have the skills they’ll need to work in the jobs of tomorrow; jobs that will become the cornerstone of the new industries of the future that are either in their infancy or don’t yet exist.

“The publication of the new plan is just the start of this process. Government cannot tackle the challenge alone. A Team Wales approach is the only way we can drive forward these changes and meet our net zero commitments. Everyone needs to take responsibility and play their part in taking action to improve practices, investing in people and communities to innovate and build a more resilient economy.”

Minister for Climate Change, Julie James added:

“Our Net Zero strategy, which we launched a little over a year ago, sets out more than 120 policies to help Wales reach net zero by 2050.

"The pathway to net zero will offer opportunities for people to use their expertise in the industries of the future and to develop new skills, as well as providing new and exciting careers for young people. This new Net Zero Skills Action Plan will equip our future generations and businesses to take advantage of these opportunities for long term jobs in growth areas.”