Maritime UK published the Skills for Green Jobs Position Paper, setting out the key findings from the first evidence-based skills session in July 2021 and how the Maritime Skills Commission defines ‘green’ in reference to Green Skills and Green Jobs.
Key highlights
- Demand for green jobs is expected to see a 400% increase by 2030.
- The green economy presents opportunities to attract new workers into the maritime sector and to develop and harness new skills-sets.
- The Maritime Skills Commission sets out 7 actions following extensive evidence gathering and independent reporting.
The Maritime Skills Commission (MSC) was established to ensure that the maritime sector has a pipeline of talented people to serve all parts of the sector covering shipping, ports, leisure marine, engineering, science and professional services.
Research has indicated that 1.7 million new and green full-time equivalent roles could be created by 2030, with at least 900,000 to 1.3 million relating to energy efficiency and low-carbon heating (Greening the Giants, Onward Think Tank). The remaining will be created through existing roles made greener; emphasising the need for re-skilling and upskilling and the importance of the ability for workers to transfer from areas of decline.
The paper also sets out 7 actions for the Commission following the evidence-gathering sessions and independent report at COP26, these are:
- Take ownership of the ‘skills to support green jobs’ agenda for the maritime sector by continuing to collaborate, learn, listen and work with key industry stakeholders.
- Support Maritime UK’s recommendation for a Green Skills tax credit.
- Work closely with Government, Research and Development institutions, and sector representatives to foster a favourable context for infrastructure investment, technology readiness and workforce development.
- Support the calls for Government-funded green-specific promotion of skills and jobs, along with wage subsidies for jobs contributing to the green transition.
- Support organisations to promote the diversity in green jobs in the maritime sector.
- Collaborate with Regional Maritime Clusters and intermediary organisations to develop local ownership of the skills agenda whilst the Commission monitors the development and deployment of skills for green jobs across the UK.
- Oversee the development and deployment of a comprehensive Matrix of Green jobs/skills in the sector.
Following the release of the position paper, the MSC has established a commitment to ensuring that the green jobs agenda is woven throughout all aspects of its Scheme of Work. The MSC has gone live with the recruitment of a dedicated Sustainability Skills Manager with Cornwall Marine Network to assist deliver the recommendations set out in the tasking letter and the actions from the position paper.
There is much still to do to understand the complexities and implications in the development of green jobs and the requirements for the appropriate skills. By launching the position paper, the MSC will enhance its understanding by extending its consultation with different parts of the industry, identifying the challenges faced, solutions in place, the differing interpretations of green jobs and skills and proposed future activity.
Professor Graham Baldwin, Chair of the Maritime Skills Commission, said:
This position paper sets the Maritime Skills Commission on the path to ensuring that green jobs, and the skills required for them, can be properly understood in order for the workforce, both future and existing, to be skilled, reskilled and upskilled in order to transition to net zero
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