Research
Green skills survey (2023)
In Summer 2023 the Environmental Policy Forum (EPF) issued a green skills survey.
The survey was developed to determine:
• The extent of the green skills challenge across sectors and anecdotal/ research evidence to demonstrate this challenge.
• Activity underway or planned to address green skills challenges where they exist.
• Interest in collaboration and areas where activity could be focused to maximise our collective impact.
The survey findings were as follows:
• There is a significant cross-sector green skills challenge. This is demonstrated through both research and anecdotal evidence.
• Specialist knowledge/ skills, attracting recruits/ entry routes are the biggest skills challenges.
• Limited awareness of green jobs/ routes available is the biggest barrier to entry – linked to insufficient reach to teachers, students, and careers advisors.
• Notable skills gaps include behavioural change and digital.
• Current activities to address green skills challenges include improving awareness of roles/ entry routes through online content and campaigns, as well as calling for more investment in green skills through policy work.
• Raising awareness of roles/ routes with those in education is projected to become a top priority for respondents.
• There is growing majority interest in collaborating on boosting green skills.
• The most common key asks of government, investors, and employers: a collaborative, joined-up approach, improving Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and ensuring greater investment/ funding in green skills (including providing financial incentives to enter green jobs).
You can view the full survey findings and recommendations via the PDF below.
