On 19 October, the Government published its first ever national clean jobs plan, intended to deliver a skilled and inclusive workforce, offering high quality jobs across the UK. In this article, Brevia Energy sets out the key themes of the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, linking it to the wider Government priorities.
Skilled work
At the heart of the Plan is the Government’s expectation that the clean energy workforce will almost double by 2030, from 440,000 in 2023 to 860,000. This will be achieved both by recruiting new workers, and retraining existing North Sea workers.
Relevant announcements on a skilled workforce include:
- Up to £20 million of funding by the UK and Scottish Governments to support the transition of oil and gas workers in the North Sea into clean energy sectors, through the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund.
- The establishment of five Clean Energy Technical Excellence Colleges to specialise in training skilled clean energy workforces, in addition to the ten already confirmed Construction TECs.
- Incentivising the transition of retired or retiring skilled workers into educational roles to train the future workforce.
- Developing career opportunities for veterans into the clean energy sector.
Regionality
The Government’s new Plan reinforces its commitment to devolution, focusing on regional development and ensuring benefits are shared across the UK. It includes measures to expand skilled employment in every devolved nation, with Scotland set to gain significantly from growth in clean energy jobs.
By prioritising local investment and well-paid work, the Government aims to reconnect with disillusioned voters drifting towards Reform UK. Following the Caerphilly by-election, its emphasis on collaboration with devolved administrations, Mayoral Combined Authorities and local councils underlines a drive for balanced growth and opportunity nationwide.
Relevant announcements include:
- Funding Local Net Zero Hubs to build up a regional picture of clean energy skills and jobs within English local authority areas.
- Supporting the development of Local Growth Plans, and engagement with the Office for Clean Energy Jobs throughout
- Energy Skills Passport to support the transition of oil and gas workers into other sectors.
Good jobs
Central to the Plan is the Department’s assurance that new clean energy jobs are ‘good jobs’, with an emphasis on recognition of trade unions and promotion of collective bargaining in the sector. As a result, the Plan has received positive recognition from the Trade Unions, who had previously been expressed scepticism of the Government’s approach to clean job delivery and the future for oil and gas workers.[1]
Relevant announcements include:
- The development of a fair work charter with the wind sector and trade unions.
- Embedding trade union representation within policy boards including the Net Zero Council, and ensure that such representation is seen as a marker of good governance and effective delivery.
- Improving the inclusivity and visibility of clean energy job opportunities through a new Social Inclusion Forum.
- Establishing a Skills Forum and a Net Zero Network to bring together representatives of Industrial Strategy Zones across the UK.
Conclusion
The Clean Energy Jobs Plan is a demonstration of the interconnectedness of the Government’s key missions, helping to meet goals of economic growth, increasing opportunities for young people to succeed, and making the UK a clean energy superpower. The Government is using job creation as a key narrative to frame the transition to clean energy and net zero, at a time when these policies face strong criticism from the Conservative Party and Reform UK.
Companies within the energy sector should recognise this message framing, focusing on demonstrating their contribution and plans to the developing of the future clean energy workforce.
Brevia Energy is a dedicated division of Brevia Consulting, and has a longstanding reputation for its expertise and experience in the Energy Sector.
To organise a discussion with Brevia Energy on how we can help you and your organisation, please get in touch via the link here. You can also contact the Brevia Energy Team on 020 7091 1650 or email contact@brevia.co.uk
References
[1] ‘Exclusive: Miliband’s clean jobs plan wins over the unions’, The New Statesman, 19 October 2025, Link
