Quarter of million green apprenticeships needed

Friends of the Earth has argued that there is a serious risk that this country is going to leave its young people to a future devastated by the climate crisis and unemployment.

Research by the charity has revealed that creating 250,000 green apprenticeships leading to jobs including in renewable energy, woodland creation, and peatland restoration, would help address the crises in youth unemployment (that could cost today's unemployed young people £39bn in future earnings), and climate breakdown.

Ahead of the Budget, the research lays bare the scarring economic impact of youth unemployment from coronavirus on individuals, local authorities, and the overall country. But the research also shows the huge potential for fighting the climate crisis with green jobs country-wide if apprenticeships are given proper government support.

It found that the collective scarring impact of youth unemployment during the pandemic could see up to £39 in billion lost wages in the UK over the following 20 years, if all young people currently unemployed remain jobless for a year.

Recommendations to deliver green apprenticeships include up to £10.6 billion of government funding towards wage subsidies, training, and diversity measures, as well as creating a network of National and Regional Centres of Excellence for Zero Carbon Skills at further education colleges. The report also proposes bursaries of £1,500 to promote participation in green apprenticeships among disadvantaged groups including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, women, and disabled people.

Denis Fernando, climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

“There’s a serious risk that this country is going to leave its young people to a future devastated by the climate crisis and unemployment. But it’s not too late to turn this around. Investing in green apprenticeships in areas such as renewable energy and woodland creation could prevent a new wave of youth unemployment, while helping the UK towards a more climate-friendly future.”