A plethora of new construction roles from glaziers to gas fitters and ventilation contractors to plumbers need to be created over the next seven years for the UK to be carbon-free by 2050.
This is according to the Construction Industry Training Board, CITB, latest analysis Building Skills for Net Zero. The forecast is based on modelling the skills profile of the workforce required to deliver net-zero using climate change committee data.
It estimates by 2028, additional decarbonisation work will have created demand for 86,000 construction project managers, 33,000 building envelope specialists and 59,000 plumbers and heat and ventilation contractors.
CITB strategy and policy director Steve Radley said: “Net-zero presents a huge challenge for construction but an even greater opportunity to create a more productive industry that’s also a more attractive career option.”
The organisation believes Covid and the expected rise in unemployment offers construction the chance to position itself as a career destination of choice for those who want to make a difference.
Mr Radley said it was important for a ‘joined-up’ approach across the built environment on what skills are needed and organising the right courses and qualifications to deliver them.
“Government also has a key role in specifying what it wants and creating the pipeline of demand that will give industry the confidence to invest in the skills we need and for providers to invest in the courses we need to deliver these skills,” he said.
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