COP28: BUREAU VERITAS ENCOURAGES UPSKILLING AND TRAINING FOR A SUCCESSFUL RENEWABLES FUTURE

In the pursuit of a successful transition to renewable energy – and the need to move harder and faster to keep the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal alive - it is imperative that we prioritise the development of a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and sustaining the current and future demands of the green industry.

As we collectively commit to achieving ambitious renewable energy targets, a well-trained and knowledgeable workforce will be key.

There should be a big focus on fostering partnerships between the government, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions to create specialised training programs that directly address the skill gaps in the renewable energy sector. These collaborations will provide students with hands-on experience and ensure that they are equipped with the practical skills demanded by the industry.

With this said, educational institutions should be supported with the introduction and expansion of financial incentives for offering specialised programmes in the green space, ensuring that our education system aligns with the needs of the growing green economy.

Bureau Veritas’s Energy Transition Report 2023 further highlights the need to mobilise a global workforce, estimating a total of 90 million people to be employed in the energy sector by 2030. A huge part of that will be training new workers and re-skilling the existing workforce—many of whom have valuable transferable skills that will be essential to meeting future needs of the net zero pathway for energy transition. This approach will not only create employment opportunities but also help bridge the skills shortage gap.

By proposing these initiatives, the UK government can once again demonstrate global leadership in fostering a skilled workforce capable of driving the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon future. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities presented at COP28, investing in the education and training of future generations will undoubtedly be the cornerstone of a successful renewables’ future.