The UK government has launched its first national plan to train and recruit workers for the clean energy transition, projecting the creation of over 400,000 additional jobs by 2030. The Clean Energy Jobs Plan outlines a coordinated strategy to meet the surging demand for skilled workers in renewables, nuclear, and low-carbon industries, with total employment in the sector forecast to double to 860,000 by the end of the decade.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized the plan’s potential to revitalize industrial heartlands, stating, “Communities have long been calling out for a new generation of good industrial jobs. The clean energy jobs boom can answer that call — and today we publish a landmark national plan to make it happen.” He highlighted the plan’s focus on creating well-paid, secure jobs in local communities, from plumbers to electricians and welders, and its commitment to a pro-worker, pro-jobs, pro-union agenda.
The plan identifies 31 priority occupations and outlines measures to boost training, apprenticeships, and career pathways into clean energy. Key initiatives include the establishment of five new Technical Excellence Colleges to train future workers in essential trades, and a new Mission Renewable partnership to link veterans to careers in solar, wind, and nuclear. Additionally, £2.5m will fund regional skills models in Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire, while £20m will retrain oil and gas workers for roles in offshore wind, nuclear, and electricity grid infrastructure.
The plan also proposes extending offshore employment protections, introducing a Fair Work Charter between developers and trade unions, and piloting workforce criteria in public contracts to ensure good pay and conditions across the sector. These measures aim to create an economy where decent jobs are accessible without the need to leave one’s hometown.
Industry leaders have welcomed the plan. ScottishPower chief executive Keith Anderson noted that the government’s Clean Power 2030 Mission has spurred record investment in clean electricity infrastructure, creating thousands of job opportunities. EDF power solutions UK chief executive Matthieu Hue highlighted the plan’s clarity on the scale of opportunities for high-quality jobs, while Siemens Energy UK&I vice president Darren Davidson welcomed the announcement as a step forward in building on the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.
RenewableUK deputy chief executive Jane Cooper praised the plan for setting out the scale of the opportunity to create new jobs in renewables and for including practical measures to maximize this potential. Scottish Renewables chief executive Claire Mack emphasized the importance of the energy transition for creating good jobs and a workforce fit for the future, highlighting Scotland’s world-class energy skills expertise.
The government noted that the clean energy mission has already unlocked over £50bn of private investment since last July, supporting tens of thousands of roles through projects such as Sizewell C, Rolls-Royce small modular reactors, and carbon capture schemes like Acorn and Viking. Entry-level positions in most clean energy occupations are projected to pay 23% more than comparable roles in other sectors, with average salaries across wind, nuclear, and electricity networks exceeding £50,000 — well above the national average of £37,000.
This plan could significantly shape the development of the clean energy sector by addressing the skills gap and ensuring a steady supply of trained workers. It may also accelerate private investment and project development, as the clarity and coordination provided by the plan could reduce risks and uncertainties for investors. Furthermore, the focus on fair work practices and regional development could help build public support for the energy transition, fostering a more inclusive and just green economy. The plan’s emphasis on partnerships between government, industry, and trade unions could also set a precedent for collaborative approaches to workforce development in other sectors.