News | Friday, 25th November 2022
Businesses to benefit from net zero skills thanks to new Charter
North West Net Zero Skills Charter will create new employment opportunities
A potential 300,000 new and safeguarded jobs will be created in the North West of England through net zero projects and investments which have been brought together in a new skills charter.
The North West Net Zero Skills Charter, which is designed by Manchester Metropolitan University and its partners, will help businesses to ensure new net zero opportunities can be harnessed for the benefit of communities and people across the region.
The Charter, which was launched on Wednesday (November 23) at the Great Northern Conference, uses a net zero lens to articulate the skills and capabilities that are most important for businesses seeking to recruit new workers.
The goal is to ensure skills providers are clear about what is required of them. Crucially, it also contains a commitment from businesses across the region to support the upskilling of the region’s workforce.
The Charter commits all who sign up to:
- Consider what net zero means for North West businesses – operationally and in terms of future products, services, and supply chains.
- Consider what impact these changes might have on job roles and key competencies including across leadership teams.
- Support the skills system, through positive engagement, and practical assistance.
- Be a champion for the transition to net zero, clearly articulating the commitment to net zero within the values and purpose of each organisation.
- Encourage all employees to adopt a net zero mindset.
- Encourage net zero literacy training to be rolled out to all employees (shop floor to board level).
- Spread learning through every supply chain.
Led by the North West Business Leadership Team in partnership with Manchester Met, Net Zero North West and the University of Chester, the Charter is a key part of the region’s ambition to be net zero by 2040.
For Manchester Met, the partnership working to support the region’s net zero ambitions is an integral part of its new Leadership in Sustainability Strategy.
Professor Liz Price, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Sustainability at Manchester Met, said: “We are committed to working with our partners and businesses across the North West to achieve the goal of creating a net zero region by 2040.
“Our Leadership in Sustainability Strategy outlines how we will prepare students for future careers, when every job will have a sustainability element to it, and the North West Net Zero Skills Charter will play a crucial role in bringing businesses together to ensure these opportunities are recognised and supported.”
Amer Gaffar, Director of the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre at Manchester Met, added: “We are already working with businesses to shape the capabilities and technologies needed to deliver a net zero economy as well as helping those businesses reach their sustainability goals.
“The Charter outlines the North West’s collective commitment to these goals, and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners to realise a zero-carbon future.”
We are already working with businesses to shape the capabilities and technologies needed to deliver a net zero economy as well as helping those businesses reach their sustainability goals.
The Great Northern Conference saw business leaders coming together for the launch of the Charter, which was presented by Manchester Met alumnus Carl Ennis, Chair of Net Zero North West and Chief Executive of Siemens UK and Ireland, alongside Pat McFadden MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and Emma Degg, CEO of the North West Business Leadership Team.
Ennis said: “The North West is already leading the UK’s net zero future, slashing carbon emissions and carving a new path by creating a green industrial economy. However, the availability of the right skills will be a significant risk to reaching our climate goals if we don’t act now.
“The joined-up approach that the Net Zero Skills Charter aims to deliver, will ensure we set the blueprint for how to train and retain low carbon talent in the region, and then export that expertise out to the rest of the UK, Europe and the world.”
Degg said: “While we know that new net zero investments have the potential to create new employment opportunities for local people, this will only happen if we work closely together.
“That means business stepping up to do our bit to inspire young people, reach out to diverse communities and those who have been previously left behind, and invest in the training of our own workforces.
“We have a brilliant opportunity to deliver a fairer economy and net zero at the same time – but only if we work in a purposeful way towards that goal.”
A copy of the North West Skills Charter can be downloaded here.
