The survey, conducted by ICM research on behalf of Royal Haskoning, revealed that demand for ‘green collar’ workers – the term used to describe those that work in environmental-related roles or industries – will increase dramatically over the next 12 months. Over half (53%) of British businesses predict their company’s need for ‘green collar’ skills and services will increase in the future, and nearly a third (31%) believe their workforce would need to increase by as much as 6-10%. The findings echo the views of the Government, which recently outlined its framework for the future of British manufacturing, with business secretary, John Hutton, claiming that one million ‘green collar’ jobs could be created in low-carbon technology.(ii) Elsewhere, whilst the Home Office’s migration advisory committee has called for an overall drop in the number of skilled jobs open to non-EU migrants in Britain from 1 million to 700,000, engineering remains an area of shortage.(iii)
The shift in British skill requirements is already underway and will continue to grow at a rapid rate, with one in five (19%) of those surveyed already employing someone with ‘green collar’ responsibilities. Of those that don’t currently employ ‘green collar’ workers, almost a quarter (24%) believed their company soon planned to make use of ‘green collar’ skills services and products, with nearly a third (28%) hoping to do so in the next six to 12 months.
A growing eco consciousness and increased regulatory scrutiny means British businesses are feeling pressure from all directions to be ‘green’. According to respondents, the top reason for an increased need in ‘green collar’ skills and services was the need to meet Government and legislative sustainability targets and criteria (30%), followed by internal environment policy targets (27%), and customer pressure to be ‘green’ (21%).
“As a country we are steadily recognising the need for ‘green’ products, services and skills, but companies are failing to take action. Our research found that one in four (25%) companies didn’t have an environmental policy in place, and of those companies, a further quarter admit there are no plans to implement one”, commented Henry Rowe, member of the Royal Haskoning board of management. “As pressure mounts for British businesses to implement ‘green’ strategies and services, the worry remains whether our current and future domestic skills market can service these demands. We need to encourage the take up of science and engineering degrees and create an environment that fosters home-grown talent in order to ensure Britain benefits, and not suffers from, the forthcoming ‘green collar’ boom.”
About the research:
(i) ICM interviewed a random sample of 575 senior level professionals in an ad hoc online study on behalf of Royal Haskoning in August 2008. Surveys were conducted across the country in the professional and business services, catering and accommodation, wholesale, manufacturing, health and social service, education, personal services, arts, sport and recreation, agriculture, construction, mining, energy and utilities, transport, IT and telecoms and media industries from businesses across the UK. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at
www.icmresearch.co.uk(ii) Further information can be found at:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/(iii) Further information can be found at:
http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/
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