Research Shows New Skills Needed to Help UK Meet EU 2020 Targets on Energy Use

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• Publié par: asset-skills
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• Langue: English

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Research Shows New Skills Needed to Help UK

Meet EU 2020 Targets on Energy Use

PR Newswire

LONDON, June 27, 2012

LONDON

,

June 27, 2012

/PRNewswire/ --

Research calls for new skills and training for the built environment workforce to

help the UK meet its European energy efficiency targets by 2020.

The Build Up Skills

'Analysis of the National Status Quo'

report says more

consistency in energy efficiency policy between the different UK nations is

needed. It also calls for better awareness among industry and consumers.

The study was carried out for the Build Up Skills UK project, an alliance of four

sector skills councils (SSCs): Asset Skills, SummitSkills, CITB-ConstructionSkills

and Energy & Utility Skills.

Sarah Bentley, Chief Executive of Asset Skills, said: "There is a clear lack of

knowledge and confidence among employers about the green agenda and how

it will affect their workforce. Industry and consumers need to be made more

aware, while new specialist training needs to be developed in different areas of

energy efficiency."

Keith Marshall OBE, Chief Executive of SummitSkills, said: "To a certain extent

these are encouraging findings: increasing awareness of environmental

technologies and training providers primed to step up and supply the required

training. It's already obvious that what's needed now is a strong drive forward,

a clear direction and incentives for employers to take action.

"Our next steps will be to get out and about to talk about this research, seek

out the views of businesses and training providers on how to address the issues

it raises and put together a plan of action - a skills roadmap."

Mark Farrar, Chief Executive of CITB-ConstructionSkills, said: "As the UK makes

the transition towards becoming a low carbon economy, the need to invest in

skills for the built environment sector becomes more pressing.

"This research has highlighted that in the construction sector alone, more than

161,000 skilled workers will be needed to enable to the UK to hit its 2020

carbon reduction targets. Through measures such as our 'Cut the Carbon' in

construction campaign, we are committed to working with industry, the

Government and our SSC partners to put in place the skilled workforce that will

be needed to drive the UK towards its low carbon future."

Rob Moore, Operations Manager Low Carbon, at Energy & Utility Skills, said:

"We are delighted to be part of this research, which clearly demonstrates the

Government's commitment towards green policies and gives us a clear picture

of where we are now.

"Through the collaborative work of the sectors involved in the Build Up Skills

project and this report, we will develop a coherent plan to bring us closer to the

ambitious targets the UK has committed to."

Through the Build Up Skills project, the four SSCs are undertaking a

programme of research and other work to ensure that the built environment

workforce has the skills necessary for the UK to meet its 2020 carbon emission

reduction targets. Industry bodies, employers, training providers and other

stakeholders have been interviewed for the study, which was also informed by

other relevant published information.

The built environment accounts for nearly 47% of CO2 emissions. Today's

research calls for long term Government commitment to energy policy, and

funding for energy efficiency training to help raise knowledge and skills among

the blue collar workforce such as plumbers, electricians and construction

workers.

The full report is available here: http://www.buildupskillsuk.org/status-quo or for

more information on the Build Up Skills UK project contact Lucy Radford by

emailing [e-mail] or call 08448 549 004.

About Build Up Skills

The Build Up Skills research is funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe

programme and supported by all the UK Governments. Its findings will be used

to inform the development of a 2020 Skills Roadmap. The study presents an

analysis of the national status quo in the UK blue collar built environment

workforce, a comprehensive review of existing skills training and qualifications

provision and skills needs. The European targets call for a 20% cut in emissions

of greenhouse gases by 2020, compared with 1990 levels; a 20% increase in

the share of renewables in the energy mix; and a 20% cut in energy

consumption.