The Green Skills Gap: An Urgent Challenge for the Region’s Workforce
April 15, 2025
The UK’s green skills gap is widening, with recent investigations revealing that a significant portion of the British workforce lacks the necessary skills to meet the growing demand for sustainability-related roles. A report published in Aesthetic Medicine (March 2025) indicates that, despite the increasing requirement for green skills, the number of workers trained to meet this demand remains alarmingly low.
Skills crisis affecting sustainability progress
According to the findings, only one in eight British workers currently possess the green skills necessary to meet the demands of the job market. This gap threatens to derail the region’s progress on environmental goals, placing businesses at risk of failing to meet the climate commitments set by both government and corporate targets.
As part of efforts to address this issue, green skills have been identified as a key priority by the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). The LSIP is a national Department for Education initiative, delivered locally by employer-led organisations such as the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce. It works closely with local education providers to ensure that training aligns with the evolving needs of industry, helping to equip both new entrants and existing workers with the skills needed to thrive in a green economy. While LSIP focuses on key sectors such as digital and IT, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and agri-tech, the integration of green skills across all these areas is essential to meet climate targets and support growth in a net-zero economy.
Green skills demand expands across sectors
The demand for green skills is rapidly growing across a wide range of industries. Employers are increasingly seeking professionals who are not only skilled in their core roles but also knowledgeable about sustainability and environmental practices. As companies across sectors work to meet climate targets and adopt more sustainable operations, there is an urgent need for workers capable of implementing these changes.
In response to this demand, businesses in regions like Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are turning to local colleges for support. These institutions are actively tailoring their curricula to meet industry needs, offering training in renewable energy, sustainable construction, and green technologies.
A regional response: The centre for green technology
A prime example is the newly launched Centre for Green Technology at Peterborough College, which the Chamber visited during last month’s Peterborough Business Forum. Developed by Inspire Education Group (IEG) and supported by multi-million-pound funding from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority and Peterborough City Council, the Centre is designed to offer specialist training in green technologies, construction, and infrastructure.
The facility will directly support large-scale projects, including those led by Anglian Water, and advance LSIP priorities around sustainability and future skills. It will play a pivotal role in developing the regional workforce to meet the UK’s clean growth ambitions.
The Sustainability Summit: A platform for action
On 23 April, the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce will host The Sustainability Summit, a crucial event exploring the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in sustainable business practices. Attendees can connect with industry leaders, learn from expert speakers, and discover practical strategies to integrate sustainability into their organisation. This summit will provide valuable insights and networking opportunities to help drive positive environmental and social impact while enhancing your business resilience.
Bridging the green skills gap locally
To effectively close the green skills gap, collaboration between employers and training providers is essential. Through the LSIP, the Chamber is working closely with local colleges to address skills shortages, upskill the current workforce, and build pathways for the next generation of green professionals.
Offering targeted training for employees and apprentices is now central to many businesses’ sustainability strategies. As the region’s environmental goals move from policy to practice, workforce readiness will determine how successful these ambitions will be.
The upcoming Sustainability Summit offers an important opportunity for businesses to share challenges, explore best practice, and connect with education providers ready to support their workforce transition.
To learn more or to book your place, please click this link: https://www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/event/the-sustainability-summit/