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A report from the House of Commons energy security and net zero committee, Workforce planning to deliver clean secure energy, says that the government will only meet its 2030 or 2050 clean energy decarbonised building targets if there is significant new intervention in the workforce.

It says that targeting consumer demand is necessary but not sufficient, and public funding to address the supply of skills directly is needed now.鈥�鈥�聽

The UK needs an estimated 250,000 additional workers just to meet new housing targets, and many more for retrofit. After shocking failures in previous government-backed retrofit and insulation schemes, the committee calls for a new, nationally recognised, industry-backed construction and retrofit skills programme.鈥�鈥�鈥�聽

The UK may need to import some specific skilled workers from overseas, at least in the short term, to meet its targets, it says. 鈥�聽

With up to 70% of those embarking on construction-related further education qualifications not completing or not entering the sector, the committee says government should expand and formalise 'try-before-you-buy' training opportunities. SMEs, the backbone of the construction and retrofit supply chain, will need support in taking on inexperienced trainees, it says.鈥�鈥�聽

Bill Esterson MP, chair of the committee, said: 鈥淚t is essential that we build the workforce for the energy transition so that the government can hit its clean energy targets and, importantly, ensure that the UK makes the most of the growth opportunity of the century.聽

鈥淭he committee has found that market forces alone cannot overcome the skills gap. We need policy certainty for the long-term, locally directed investment in training, and policies that make clean energy careers attractive and accessible.聽

鈥淔or British workers this isn鈥檛 about hitting deadlines; it鈥檚 about securing good jobs, driving innovation, and ensuring Britain leads in the global race for clean energy.鈥澛�

Federation of Master Builders (FMB) chief executive Brian Berry was among those who gave evidence to the committee鈥檚 inquiry. 鈥淭he FMB strongly welcomes the committee鈥檚 call for a nationally recognised, industry-backed construction and retrofit skills programme,鈥� Berry said. 鈥淭his is exactly the kind of bold intervention we need to tackle the skills crisis and deliver the government鈥檚 ambitious targets for clean energy and housing. Small builders are ready to play their part, but they need clarity, long-term certainty, and practical support to train the next generation. The UK is not going to be able to meet its housing and retrofit goals without investing in home-grown talent. SMEs are the backbone of the construction industry, yet too often they are overlooked in skills planning."

He continued: 聽鈥淎 national programme must work for small firms, with flexible training routes and funding that makes it viable for them to take on apprentices and upskill their workforce. We are currently experiencing a skills crisis, and so the government must work with industry together to create clear career pathways and make construction and retrofit attractive to a young people. If we are serious about hitting our net zero targets, we need to do more to create high quality jobs in every community.鈥�

The full report can be found at

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