The green skills gap: a call to action for us all

By 2030, nearly one in five jobs requiring green skills could go unfilled.

And without proactive upskilling, this gap could widen to one in two by 2050!

LinkedIn’s Greener Skills report paints a sobering picture... but it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s immense potential too.

In fact, the demand for green skills is already reshaping the job market. Jobseekers with green expertise are 54.6% more likely to get hired. And this is highest in the UK, with 13% of UK jobs now requiring at least one green skill.

And the utilities sector in particular stands out. With almost a quarter (23.1%) of job postings requiring green skills, it leads all industries globally in green talent demand.

As a major player in this space, we’re doubling down on our efforts to attract, train, and nurture the talent needed to accelerate the energy transition.

From innovative partnerships to our own green skills apprenticeships (1,000 and counting), we’re creating pathways for talent to thrive in this new era of energy. Here’s how we’re making it happen:

• Training for transformation: The sharpest green talent demand spike between 2023 and 2024 was in the technology, information, & media industry, where the share of jobs requiring green skills surged 60%. Our apprenticeships focus on emerging technologies like AI, renewable energy systems and smart grid management, ensuring our workforce is ready to meet the challenges ahead
• Leading by example: Whether it’s our 15-year Strategic Energy Partnership with Coventry City Council or groundbreaking low-carbon energy projects such as Silvertown in East London, we’re developing the green solutions that drive progress and create jobs in whole communities
• Empowering the next generation: Though our Net Zero Training Academy based in Kingswinford, we’re reskilling and equipping engineers with the skills to deliver greener, cleaner, and more affordable energy for homes and businesses alike.

Green skills are about more than meeting climate goals, they’re about creating opportunities. By integrating green talent into key industries such as energy, construction, and manufacturing, we’re tackling emissions while unlocking economic growth.

We know investing in people is just as important as investing in technology. Together they’re the key to ensuring a just, inclusive, and prosperous energy transition.

The green skills gap is not just a challenge; it’s an opportunity – a chance to build a workforce ready to shape a sustainable future. And  we’re ready to meet that moment. Because when it comes to the green transition, there’s no future without people.