Maritime UK published the Skills for Green Jobs Position Paper, setting out the key findings from the first evidence-based skills session in July 2021 and how the Maritime Skills Commission defines ‘green’ in reference to Green Skills and Green Jobs.
Key highlights
The Maritime Skills Commission (MSC) was established to ensure that the maritime sector has a pipeline of talented people to serve all parts of the sector covering shipping, ports, leisure marine, engineering, science and professional services.
Research has indicated that 1.7 million new and green full-time equivalent roles could be created by 2030, with at least 900,000 to 1.3 million relating to energy efficiency and low-carbon heating (Greening the Giants, Onward Think Tank). The remaining will be created through existing roles made greener; emphasising the need for re-skilling and upskilling and the importance of the ability for workers to transfer from areas of decline.
The paper also sets out 7 actions for the Commission following the evidence-gathering sessions and independent report at COP26, these are:
Following the release of the position paper, the MSC has established a commitment to ensuring that the green jobs agenda is woven throughout all aspects of itsScheme of Work. TheMSC has gone live with the recruitment of a dedicated Sustainability Skills Manager withCornwall Marine Networkto assist deliver the recommendations set out in the tasking letter and the actions from the position paper.
There is much still to do to understand the complexities and implications in the development of green jobs and the requirements for the appropriate skills. By launching the position paper, the MSC will enhance its understanding by extending its consultation with different parts of the industry, identifying the challenges faced, solutions in place, the differing interpretations of green jobs and skills and proposed future activity.
Professor Graham Baldwin, Chair of the Maritime Skills Commission, said:
This position paper sets the Maritime Skills Commission on the path to ensuring that green jobs, and the skills required for them, can be properly understood in order for the workforce, both future and existing, to be skilled, reskilled and upskilled in order to transition to net zero
