10 February 2022

Green skills boost

Local construction and manufacturing workers will be able to boost their green skills as part of a new scheme backed by the West of England Combined Authority, led by Metro Mayor Dan Norris.

Staff from over 100 firms across the West of England will be equipped with the skills they need for the transition to net-zero in a £478,000 project that lasts 18 months.

Workers will receive free training to help address their business's low carbon and green goals.

The construction sector alone is responsible for 39% of worldwide carbon emissions so going greener here can have a significant impact in helping the West of England reach its ambitious 2030 net zero targets.

The project will also encourage local manufacturing companies to embrace green measures to improve their long-term sustainability and improve their energy efficiency.

The programme is delivered by the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) in partnership with NatWest.

Professor Martin Boddy, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at UWE Bristol, said: “With funding from the European Social Fund awarded by the West of England Combined Authority and working with our delivery partners, NatWest, we will enable SMEs across the region to attract, develop and retain the skilled workforce they need for the future. The project is focused on working towards a net-zero carbon, green future. Participants on the Skills for Clean Growth programme will learn about existing low carbon practices and discover some of the ways they can best implement these in practical terms into their future activity.”

Funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and running until June 2023 as part of the West of England Combined Authority’s Workforce for the Future programme, Skills for Clean Growth offers a range of skills development, training and CPD, as well as the leadership skills needed to build a clean growth strategy and the knowledge and tools to achieve sustainability.