The West Midlands must act fast if it is to bridge a net zero skills gap and become a leader in the green economy, a new report has advised.

The Net Zero Future Skills Report says the region would benefit from establishing a Green Skills Centre to help deliver the 480,000 green jobs the UK should create by 2030.

It found the need was acute among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of the West Midlands economy.

A high percentage of SME workforces require immediate training, while an equally large proportion recognises the need for these skills in the near future.

The report, funded by West Midlands Combined Authority’s Clean Futures Innovation Accelerator programme and produced by Coventry University, makes several recommendations, with goals including:

• Short-Term: Launch targeted outreach campaigns and establish a Green Skills Centre tailored to SME needs 

• Medium-Term: Develop structured career pathways through apprenticeships and internships, particularly for the region’s young people

• Long-Term: Foster collaboration between government, industry, and education to create a resilient green skills ecosystem 

Professor Carl Perrin, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Coventry University, said: “Green skills are no longer a ‘nice to have’ - they are a strategic imperative. Businesses that invest in sustainability and workforce development are not only contributing to environmental goals but also unlocking economic advantages."

“One of the main constraints SMEs face is the ability to find the time to run sustainability initiatives and to release people from business day-to-day activity to learn new skills."

“Many struggle to allocate time and resources for upskilling, making long-term workforce planning difficult. Training costs and access to training and development tools remain a hurdle, particularly for smaller businesses with limited budgets."

“Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of a robust Net Zero skills strategy far outweigh the difficulties. A well-supported, properly co-ordinated training ecosystem will position the West Midlands as a global leader in green industrialisation. Government intervention, business commitment and academic collaboration are essential to delivering this transformation.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “My forthcoming Growth Plan is all about making sure local people have the skills they need to take up the new jobs we’re creating in fast-growing green industries."

“It will turbocharge the work that’s already begun to build a pipeline of talent to tackle the net zero skills gap this report rightly highlights."

“Through major investment in decarbonising homes and businesses, and by attracting global firms in EV battery manufacturing, energy storage and clean tech, we’re creating real opportunities and making sure local people are ready to grasp them.”

Read the full report here