UK Unveils National Plan to Create 400,000 New Clean Energy Jobs by 2030

Britain Launches Ambitious Clean Energy Jobs Initiative

The United Kingdom government has unveiled a national plan designed to significantly expand its clean energy workforce, aiming to train and recruit hundreds of thousands of workers for industrial jobs in the sector. Announced on Sunday, October 19, 2025, the initiative seeks to nearly double the number of people employed in clean energy to 860,000 by 2030, representing an increase of over 400,000 new jobs.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband highlighted the plan as a response to the growing demand driven by public and private investment in renewables and nuclear energy. He stated, 'Communities across Scotland have long been calling out for a new generation of good industrial jobs. The clean energy jobs boom can answer that call.'

Targeted Growth and Key Occupations

The government's strategy identifies 31 'priority occupations' that are crucial for the clean energy transition. These include in-demand skilled trades such as plumbers, electricians, and welders. The plan is integral to the broader effort to largely decarbonise the UK's electricity sector by 2030, strengthen energy security, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The initiative is backed by substantial investment, with over £50 billion in clean energy investment announcements made since July 2024. Major projects like the Sizewell C nuclear power station are expected to support 10,000 jobs at peak construction, while the Rolls-Royce small modular reactor program could create up to 3,000 jobs. Additionally, the Acorn and Viking carbon capture and storage projects in Scotland and the North East are estimated to support a combined 35,000 jobs.

Training and Recruitment Pathways

To achieve its ambitious goals, the plan outlines several key measures for training and recruitment:

• Establishment of five new Clean Energy Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) to specialise in training skilled workforces.
• A national program designed to connect workers with job opportunities in areas like solar installation, wind turbine manufacturing, and nuclear power.
• Work schemes specifically tailored to support veterans, ex-offenders, school leavers, and the unemployed in entering the clean energy sector.
• An investment of up to £20 million from the UK and Scottish governments to upskill existing oil and gas workers, facilitating their transition into roles in offshore wind, nuclear energy, and the electricity grid.
• Expansion of the existing 'energy skills passport', which helps workers from carbon-intensive industries access new clean energy sectors.
• An additional £1.2 billion per year for skills development across the parliament, including over £100 million for the Engineering Skills Package.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden emphasized the plan's role in providing workers with 'the skills needed to switch to clean energy, which is good for them, good for industry, and will drive growth across the nation.'

Ensuring Quality Employment

The government also committed to ensuring high-quality employment within the burgeoning sector. The plan includes proposals to promote trade union membership and establish a new 'fair work charter'. This charter will mandate that companies benefiting from public funding provide good wages and strong employment rights, extending protections like the national minimum wage to clean energy workers, including those operating beyond UK territorial seas.

The initiative marks a significant step in the UK's journey to become a global leader in clean energy, aiming to deliver both environmental sustainability and economic prosperity through a skilled and well-supported workforce.