Plans to invest in green skills training

The government in Westminster has announced that it plans to invest in green skills training to support a transition to clean power with “thousands” of new jobs.

The initiative is part of its Plan for Change, which aims to make the UK energy secure by 2030.

However, some experts say that this lacks a crucial focus on decarbonising home heating.

Cara Jenkinson, Cities Manager at climate solutions charity Ashden and a national specialist on retrofit, says: “Ed Miliband’s announcements on regional skills investments to train people for clean power jobs are really welcome.

“But to reach net-zero targets clean electricity isn’t enough – we need to decarbonise home heating too.

“Ashden is really hoping to see a skills strategy in the forthcoming Warm Homes Plan that ensures that government-funded retrofit schemes deliver local skills and jobs.

“Miliband’s plans focused on particular target regions in the UK, specifically for clean power technologies, but home decarbonisation offers well-paid jobs across the country.”

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