Following this week’s Industrial Strategy announcement, Mitie’s Managing Director for Project, Mark Caskey, has shared his comments.
Mark said: “We are encouraged by this Industrial Strategy, which has pledged to put skills, training and the green economy at the heart of the UK’s plan for industry.
“As one of the UK’s decarbonisation leaders, Mitie has long called for investment in the green economy to plug the green skills gap and future proof our economy. For example, the UK currently has only 4,000 of the 150,000 heat pump installers it will need to meet the Government’s ambitious installation targets.
“By 2028, the UK economy will need two million green jobs, but with 80% of that workforce already working today, reskilling is increasingly vital. Today’s promise to invest in apprenticeships, re-skilling and short course training is a welcome boost for the UK’s workforce.
“But while we are encouraged by much in today’s paper, the Government must tackle the carbon challenges posed by the built environment. Of the UK’s total emissions, 25% come from its buildings – 3.5 million of which are commercial properties in desperate need of retrofitting and modernisation.
“If the government is serious about unlocking the potential of people and places across the UK, it must urgently do more to incentivise businesses to decarbonise their property portfolio.”
