The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) recently met with Mary Creagh, Minister for the Circular Economy, to discuss the development of green skills across multiple sectors. The discussion was in response to the government’s recent establishment of the Skills England taskforce, an initiative aimed at equipping the upcoming workforce to address future needs, including those related to sustainability.
In a new position paper, CIWM advocates for green skills development that extends beyond the energy sector, stressing the importance of a “comprehensive skills pipeline” to support a resilient green economy. This paper has garnered the backing of 28 industry organisations, including the Environmental Services Association (ESA), FCC Environment, and Suez Recycling and Recovery UK. CIWM outlines three critical areas for action:
Diversifying the Apprenticeship Levy to Fund Green Skills: CIWM proposes that a portion of the Apprenticeship Levy be allocated specifically towards green skills development. This ‘green skills fund’ would support the transition to a circular economy by providing flexible funding for accredited qualifications, career guidance, and regional excellence hubs. Such a fund would be key to fostering the technical expertise and innovation needed to tackle the complex challenges of environmental change.
Creating a UK Green Skills Roadmap: CIWM asserts that a national green skills roadmap is essential for addressing immediate and medium-term workforce gaps. This roadmap would clarify the specific skills required to support the UK’s green economy, providing direction for professional bodies, educational institutions, and businesses alike. Such guidance would enable strategic investments in training, workforce development, and educational resources to meet the growing demands of the green sector.
Investing in Career Attractiveness for Green Jobs: The institution calls on the government to boost the appeal of careers in green sectors through targeted investment in training and retraining programmes, backed by policies that support infrastructure and behavioural shifts towards sustainability. Enhanced career support and promotional efforts within educational systems are seen as vital to building interest in green careers.
The CIWM has also endorsed Labour’s recent commitment to advancing a circular economy strategy, welcoming the formation of the Circular Economy Taskforce as a critical step towards meeting green skills needs. CIWM has pledged to support this effort through its Skills for the Future Working Group, a team of over 70 industry professionals with experience in government collaboration.
Dan Cooke, CIWM’s director of policy, communications, and external affairs, emphasised the need for more comprehensive green skills development: “We believe there should be greater emphasis on building a green skills pipeline beyond just the energy sector. With the Circular Economy Taskforce, the government has an opportunity to focus on the three key areas outlined in our Skills Position Paper to achieve significant impact in the short to mid-term.”
