INADEQUATE green skills provision is jeoparding Britain’s chances of hitting climate targets, a report by the University and College Union (UCU) warned today.

The union said its Green Gap report must serve as a “wake-up call” if the country is to build the workforce needed for a successful transition to a net-zero economy by 2030.

It identifies major challenges across the skills system, particularly in the further education (FE) sector, and concludes that Britain is not on track to meet its green skills targets.

The report highlights how FE colleges are central to vocational training but warns that many face acute shortages of tutors, especially in energy and construction.

Technical educators’ pay lags behind industry by as much as £25,000 a year, leading to recruitment and retention difficulties.

Facilities are also outdated, with limited space, equipment and curriculum capacity to deliver green qualifications.

Key recommendations of the report include a co-ordinated cross-departmental green skills delivery plan, increased funding to offer competitive salaries in key net-zero sectors and ring-fenced investment in FE colleges.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Without urgent intervention, the UK risks missing [climate] targets due to an insufficiently skilled workforce.”