New skills for sustainable industries workforce Wednesday, February 9, 2011 - 17:35

With up to £2.5million of government funding, matched by employers, the new National Skills Academy (NSA) will work with industry and training providers to develop workforce skills for the growing low carbon and renewable energy industries.

Jane Ward, NIACE Senior Programme Director, said:

"The access this initiative will provide to excellent training and employment opportunities for adults will be critical as 70% of the 2020 workforce are already beyond the age of compulsory education. Professional and skilled workers will benefit from opportunities to convert their existing skills and knowledge to meet the requirements of ‘green' industries."

"There should be potential opportunities in the low carbon and clean energy industries for all adults including those with low skills, unemployed adults and those furthest from learning and the labour market. However one of NIACE's main concerns is that access will be limited to the many adults who are ill equipped for science, technology, engineering and maths related occupations. Around half of the working age population in England have very low numeracy skills and many adults lack science and technology qualifications. The situation is even worse for women who are persistently less likely than men to train and work in science, engineering and technology sectors. For instance only 2.5% of engineering apprentices are women."

"The launch of the NSA offers a timely opportunity to develop robust and imaginative information, advice and guidance, alongside adult learning programmes to develop awareness and uptake of learning and ‘green' employment opportunities opened up through STEM subjects. The challenge, however, will be how these opportunities pay particular attention to the questions of, in particular, developing literacy, language, numeracy and digital skills and the inclusion of women."

To help shape NIACE's advocacy, policy and development work around the issue of Education for Sustainable Development, NIACE has formed a Special Interest Group - if you are interested in getting involved please email Jane Ward at jane.ward@niace.org.uk.