Reading poised to capitalise on green jobs revolution – REDA report

Reading has potential to create 20,000 new jobs by 2050 as part of the country’s transition towards Net Zero, according to a report from Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency (REDA).

Direct intervention is said to be required in key sectors of the economy. This is to ensure that the town can maximise on green job creation while limiting the fallout of automation, which it predicts could replace up to 30,000 low skilled positions in Reading alone.

The road to Net Zero will be paved by the construction and installation sectors, as businesses look to retrofit for energy efficiency and the country builds up its electric vehicle infrastructure. Not only this, but Reading can also seriously capitalise on projected future demand for services linked to a low carbon economy.

REDA initially analysed employment related to the Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economy (LCREE), projecting 5,600 jobs in this sector by 2050. Broadening the narrow definition of LCREE to encompass the wider ‘green economy’, however, this figure rises to 20,000 – a significant jump from the 4,200 currently associated with Net Zero activity in the town.

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In order to realise this potential, Reading will set its sights on four key sectors in which it can make the most of its locational advantage, and which also offer the greatest low carbon job density. These are electricity and gas; construction; information and communications; and professional, scientific, and technical.

Electricity and gas will involve a reactive, short-term approach, as the town quickly adapts to meet strong demand for retrofitting driven by national policy, regulation, and investment. The workforce is expected to comprise a large number of mid- and late-career workers looking to retrain.

Construction would benefit from a longer strategy, as short-term skills needs take a back seat to succession planning. This means fostering talent in schools and the STEM curriculum by working alongside trade organisations and education partners.

Information and communications will also see initiatives aiming to inspire and teach students about the careers of the future.

Professional, scientific, and technical already represents a significant portion of Reading’s economy, but more research is required to understand specifically where LCREE and other green jobs are located within the sector.

This report marks the first step in a long-term roadmap detailing Reading’s role in Net Zero. Now that it has outlined areas with the most potential for growth, REDA is looking to clarify which skills need to be delivered by schools and colleges, which of these are easier or more difficult to develop, and where exactly they are required by businesses.

Nigel Horton-Baker, Executive Director at REDA, summarised: “With the UK’s Net Zero Strategy to become carbon neutral by 2050, the need to transition to low carbon industries, invest in green technologies, and adapt the labour market is clear; however, the implications in terms of local economic policy and the most effective local actions are not as well understood.

“Beyond the need to reduce carbon emissions to avert the worst impacts of climate change, growing the green economy is an important employment and social mobility issue for Reading.

“This report is the starting point for understanding this local picture; the potential for green jobs given the economic makeup of Reading; the threats of automation to existing low skilled jobs and how new green jobs could reduce that threat; and how active targeting of Reading’s key economic sectors could bring the maximum benefit to the economy as we seek to create benefit from the need to adapt to climate change.”

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