The Welsh Government has announced the publication of the Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales: Net Zero Skills Plan. This will set out how the government intend to promote collaboration to upskill the people of Wales.
The strategy will see the Welsh Government, businesses, industry, education, skills, and trade unions working together to give people in Wales the skills to work in the net zero jobs of the future. This will be done by focusing on narrowing the skills divide and tackling inequality to make the economy stronger and more competitive.
Seven key areas of action will form the strategy, with these being:
- Gain an understanding of the current skills position for each emission sector
- Build a shared understanding of net zero skills across Wales
- Grow a skilled workforce to meet net zero commitments
- Strengthen the skills system
- Promote opportunities for early years and young people to realise their potential
- Cross government and partnership approach to meet our skills commitment
- Just transition meaning nobody gets left behind
Vaughan Gething, Economy Minister, said:
“The Welsh Government is determined to ensure we build a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales, where no one is left behind. We’ve committed to creating a Wales where individuals of all ages can receive a high-quality education, with jobs for all and where businesses can thrive in a net zero economy that champions fairness and equality.
“The Net Zero Skills plan I am unveiling today is designed to ensure that today’s children and workers will have the skills they’ll need to work in the jobs of tomorrow; jobs that will become the cornerstone of the new industries off the future that are either in their infancy or don’t yet exist.
“The publication of the new plan is just the start of this process. Government cannot tackle the challenge alone. A Team Wales approach is the only way we can drive forward these changes and meet our net zero commitments. Everyone needs to take responsibility and play their part in taking action to improve practices, investing in people and communities to innovate and build a more resilient economy.
“I very look [sic] forward to working with all our partners to deliver our Net Zero Skills Action Plan to create a Fairer, Stronger, Greener Wales for all.”
Julie James, Minister for Climate Change, said:
“Our Net Zero strategy, which we launched a little over a year ago, sets out more than 120 policies to help Wales reach net zero by 2050.
“The pathway to net zero will offer opportunities for people to use their expertise in the industries of the future and to develop new skills, as well as providing new and exciting careers for young people. This new Net Zero Skills Action Plan will equip our future generations and businesses to take advantage of these opportunities for long term jobs in growth areas.”
