Morning, Tuesday, 27th January 2026
Online
This conference will examine key developments in green skills policy in England.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss the Government’s recently published Clean Energy Jobs Plan, looking at issues for implementation and implications for the skills sector, meeting skills needs, and supporting opportunities for quality employment.
With government ambitions to create over 400,000 additional jobs by 2030 - transitioning workers from fossil fuel sectors, fostering homegrown talent and reducing reliance international recruitment - areas for discussion include priorities for addressing stakeholder concerns around funding, sectoral and regional readiness, and equitable access to high-quality training and employment.
Policy, funding & equity
Sessions in the agenda consider how funding and skills policy can be aligned to support high‑quality job creation and fair access to training across the country. We expect discussion on measures under the Growth and Skills Levy - including expanded flexibilities and targeted support for green apprenticeships - and what more may be needed to address skills gaps and build capacity in regions that have experienced underinvestment.
Delegates will assess the way forward in the context of the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, and its long‑term plan for boosting productivity and innovation across sectors, strengthening energy security, and supporting the transition to net zero.
Investment & meeting industry needs
Following the 2025 Spending Review, attendees will consider implications for investment in construction, energy and manufacturing - including stabilising training pipelines, tackling shortages, and addressing regional disparities. Discussion will examine the role of the Growth and Skills Levy and Technical Excellence Colleges in expanding apprenticeship routes and higher‑level technical qualifications, and priorities for Skills England and the new Office for Clean Energy Jobs in coordinating national delivery.
We expect discussion on practical enablers for workforce transition from oil and gas and other legacy industries into clean energy employment, and on reskilling strategies that sustain fair work standards and income stability.
Implications of the Post‑16 Education and Skills White Paper will be considered - including the reforms it sets out aimed at strengthening technical education and employer involvement - alongside approaches for Local Skills Improvement Plans in integrating green priorities. We expect discussion to reflect stakeholder priorities on data‑sharing, consistent metrics, and joined‑up approaches across devolved regions.
Attendees will consider priorities for workforce data use, integration of emerging technologies, and ensuring training aligns with energy transition requirements. There will be discussion on raising awareness of green career pathways and improving collaboration between providers, employers and local authorities.
Progression pathways, upskilling & employment rights
Sessions will assess what is needed to support effective workforce transitions - from reskilling and upskilling to developing clear qualification pathways and long‑term investment in training. Strategies for widening participation and improving tailored support for underrepresented groups will also be discussed.
New initiatives highlighted in the Clean Energy Jobs Plan will be discussed - including programmes for veterans, ex‑offenders and unemployed adults, the extension of the Energy Skills Passport to nuclear and electricity network sectors, and joint UK‑Scottish Government funding to retrain oil and gas workers for clean energy roles. Discussion will assess scalability, accessibility, and how effectively these schemes meet employer and learner needs.
Discussion is expected on the new Fair Work Charter between offshore wind developers and trade unions, and on proposals to close loopholes in employment protections for workers in the clean energy sector - including extending national minimum wage provisions beyond UK territorial seas.
Delegates will also look at career mobility between subsectors, incentive structures such as the Clean Industry Bonus, and the forthcoming Clean Energy Workforce Strategy, which will set out arrangements for monitoring progress, quality, and regional outcomes.
Capacity, planning & innovation
Further sessions consider approaches to ensure local training provision aligns with employer demand and regional economic priorities. Implications of infrastructure and retrofit initiatives will be assessed, looking at projected delivery capacity, regional variation, and alignment of training provision with future energy system planning aims.
The potential impact of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will also be assessed, looking at the integration of green skills into local plans, and impact of differing local approaches on employer coordination, learner progression and scalability.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from the Department for Transport; Climate Change Committee and HM Treasury.
