Do we think employers understand what skills they are missing? And is it a common skills gap or very sub-sector dependent? 
I suspect we would get many different answers, but that’s the conversation we need to have to then inform government policy, employers, universities, colleges, schools and parents. 
Let’s not forget the role apprenticeships can play in boosting the skills gap by providing capacity and focussed capability. 

Really good point, one key skill is to be aware of the technological options available and how they can be applied in different ways – take digital twins for example, only 5% of employers in the UK saw this as being important for reaching net zero, which means they are least likely to recognise it as a priority across the 10 countries surveyed. It is unclear how aware employers are about the potential of this technology though, so maybe that is something to survey in future. I'd also be keen to hear examples of how it is used in different sectors.

Another example that is much broader might be systems thinking, which most employers think that engineers should have as a core skill.

What do you think is the most important thing government can do to plug skills gaps?

Really good point, one key skill is to be aware of the technological options available and how they can be applied in different ways – take digital twins for example, only 5% of employers in the UK saw this as being important for reaching net zero, which means they are least likely to recognise it as a priority across the 10 countries surveyed. It is unclear how aware employers are about the potential of this technology though, so maybe that is something to survey in future. I'd also be keen to hear examples of how it is used in different sectors.

Another example that is much broader might be systems thinking, which most employers think that engineers should have as a core skill.

What do you think is the most important thing government can do to plug skills gaps?

In terms of the role of government around skills it’s important to achieve stability and continuity in terms of the direction of travel. Skills acquisition is not an overnight activity, having a longer term vision that is consistent from government to government around the need for engineering skills is key. 
But as we know from the last few years of skills surveys the need for skills is key for employers. Improved digital skills, access to net zero and sustainability skills. this leaves lots to do around skills development and it’s good to see that message is now landing with government. 
Stability during this UK election year and whatever comes afterwards is critical to delivering the skills gaps that employer's are crying out for. 

Which countries have the most effective green skills policies and programmes already in place that the UK can learn from ? Or are we the pioneers ?

I can't say for sure which are leaders, but from our international skills survey there is a distinct concern about the lack of skills with fewer than 5% of employers across 8 countries saying they have skills to be resilient to climate change. Most employers surveyed in each country believe that new building and construction materials (such as solar panels) are the most important technology to help their country meet its net zero targets, although the area that they are most likely to think that their country has enough skills in is renewable energy generation. 

The UK has committed to Net Zero through legislation and there will be a range of sustainable skills required to hit deliver net zero technology e.g. 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028. Due to the significant need to retrofit to ensure energy efficiency in UK homes – this is an area where the UK needs to reskill. 

Hi Jayne,
Thank you for your response. I wonder why the UK government is not investing more in education and training programs that can prepare its workforce for the green economy, especially in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, if it aims to be a net zero nation. I have attempted to invest in my own business with EV training, solar training, but I received no support from the government. I completed a solar course when the feed-in tariff was still at 46p per kWh, but I faced difficulties in entering the market. The EV was fine until the grants for domestic installation ceased. I am now looking at energy storage systems, but I am not very optimistic. It would be helpful if the government could assist small businesses in transitioning to this sector, so that we could invest in the training ourselves, knowing that it is worth investing.