As we transition to becoming a Net Zero Nation, green jobs in Scotland are on the rise. Not only will these jobs help us to tackle the global climate emergency, they represent an exciting opportunity for our young people, offering higher wages than non-green jobs.
To give you a window into green career pathways, we’ve pulled together some of the key websites, facts and reports into one place.
Did you know? Our national Learning for Sustainability Action Plan has a target for all settings and school to become sustainable by 2030. Promoting green pathways and jobs are a key part of this.
Question: How are our curriculum and our qualification pathways preparing children and young people to access these opportunities?
Key websites
Facts
- The number of green jobs advertised in the UK has almost trebled in the last year.
- 336,000 green jobs were advertised across the UK in 2022.
- The UK target is to support creation of 2 million green jobs between 2020 and 2030.
- Green jobs are growing at around four times the rate of the overall UK employment market.
- Of the 2.5 million jobs in Scotland it is estimated that 109,000 are new and emerging green jobs.
- Analysis of the vacancy data reveals that median advertised wages are higher in green jobs than in non-green jobs in Scotland (£29,673 vs £23,837).
- Professional occupations that are more prevalent amongst green jobs in Scotland (32.1%), followed by skilled trades (19.6%).
- Green jobs in Scotland are mostly concentrated in the 25-49 age group (58%).
- The frequency of green job titles among engineering job postings increased by 55% in the past five years, and the number of engineering job postings mentioning a green skill has also grown by 48%. As of 2022 there were approximately 23,000 engineering job postings for green roles and a further 212,000 requiring green skills.
Reports
- Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan
- Green Jobs in Scotland (Warwick University)
- Mapping the Net Zero Economy (2023)
- The Future of Work: Pathways for the Circular Economy in Scotland
- A Net Zero Workforce – UK Climate Change Committee (2023)
- Skills and Net Zero (UK Climate Change Committee Expert Advisory Group)
Resources
- DYW LIVE COP27 – green job videos
- British Council – Green Careers Guide
- Green Jobs in Scotland presentation PDF
- Online training on hydrogen careers and offshore wind energy