Clean Energy Jobs Boom to Bring New Jobs to the UK
By Awa Bobb | 17 November 2025
Summary
As a part of its Net Zero strategy, the UK government expects 400,000 new clean energy jobs by 2030, doubling energy sector employment to 860,000.
The initiative is supported by the UK and Scottish governments, with up to GBP 20m (USD 26m) designated specifically for training and retraining initiatives targeting a broad range of groups including veterans, ex-offenders, school leavers, unemployed individuals, and workers transitioning from the oil and gas sector.
Inclusive recruitment and skills development are prioritised, while sectors outside clean energy will also be supported through transferable skills and upskilling.
Context
The UK government announced that Britain’s clean energy initiative will create 400,000 jobs by 2030, raising total energy sector employment to 860,000. This plays a part in its transition to a low carbon economy. The Office for Clean Energy Jobs (OCEJ) was established within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to drive this initiative.
Central to the strategy is the Employment Pledge Framework, published by DESNZ, which commits to creating accessible, high-quality industrial jobs nationwide. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stated that the plan ensures people can work locally without having to leave their hometowns. Companies that deliver these jobs will be eligible for public grants and contracts. Collaborations across sectors are central to the plan’s success. To achieve these goals, civil service specialists will develop sector-specific job plans, monitor progress, and adjust strategies to ensure that employment growth aligns with industry demand. Trade unions are also embedded into the process to ensure job creation is balanced with worker protections. EDF Power Solutions UK Chief Executive Officer Matthieu Hue highlighted the company’s partnerships with GMB, Prospect, Unison, and Unite to grow the business while maintaining worker conditions.
Implications
Strategic Advantage
The UK is converting environmental goals into economic advantage, positioning itself as a global leader in the clean energy transition. Clear regulatory frameworks, long-term Net Zero commitments, and government-backed investment incentives have created stable conditions for private sector growth. This predictability is attracting significant domestic and foreign capital, particularly into offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture projects.
In contrast, policy uncertainty in the US and parts of Europe has slowed investment flows and delayed project approvals. As a result, the UK now stands out as a preferred destination for green finance, offering investors both regulatory stability and scalable market opportunities.
Major projects such as the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, the world’s largest offshore wind development, and HyNet North West, a leading hydrogen and carbon capture initiative, demonstrate how the UK’s policy clarity is driving industrial competitiveness, supply chain expansion, and high-value job creation.
Workforce Attractiveness
The clean energy transition will elevate wage standards and professionalise the sector. Entry-level and graduate clean energy roles are expected to pay 23% more than comparable positions in other sectors. These jobs also provide clear career pathways, structured technical training, and competitive salaries making them highly attractive opportunities for graduates and early-career professionals entering a fast-expanding, purpose-driven industry.
Upskilling and Inclusion
To build this skilled workforce, the government has introduced a comprehensive training and retraining framework. Backed by a GBP 20m (USD 26 m) retraining fund, the plan supports veterans, ex-offenders, school leavers, unemployed individuals, and workers transitioning from oil and gas. Thirty-one priority occupations have been identified, with five technical excellence colleges proposed to train people for these roles. Examples include plumbers and heating installers, electricians, welders, carpenters, engineering professionals, and project managers. Fewer than half of these occupations require higher education, ensuring that high-quality green jobs are accessible to a diverse background.
Regional Economic Revitalisation
Aberdeen, Teesside, and the Humber are shifting from fossil fuels to clean energy hubs, with job growth projected at up to 40% by 2030. The Humber and Teesside clusters could support 30,000 construction jobs and add GBP 2.2b in GVA annually by 2027. These investments will strengthen regional GDP, supply chains, and local infrastructure. However, without retraining, around 30,000 oil and gas workers risk short-term unemployment, highlighting the need for managed, inclusive transitions to secure long-term regional resilience.
Social and Political Impact
Supporting displaced workers through effective retraining and job placement is vital to maintaining public trust in net zero policies. Regions that achieve successful workforce transitions will serve as models of industrial transformation, reinforcing social cohesion and political stability. The failure to provide adequate support may result in regional inequalities.
Nicholas Doherty/Unsplash
Forecast
Short-term (Now - 3 months)
Medium-term (3-12 months)
Long-term (>1 year)
