UK work visas may help fill green skills gap
November 23 2009 by Liam Clifford
More UK work visas needed in order to fill projected shortfall in skilled labour market.
A study claims that
the UK may have trouble fulfilling its low carbon economy goals as a result of a
shortage of skilled people to do ‘green’ jobs.
In advance of the major
climate change conference set to take place in Copenhagen in December, a report
by the Aldersgate Group called, ‘Mind the Gap – skills for the transition to a
low carbon economy’ claims that more skilled staff are needed to work in the
UK.
The report’s chair, John Edmonds from the TUC, explained, “the skills
gap in the UK economy is well documented, with one in three firms already
hampered by a shortage of skilled staff, from those needed to install new
technology to scientists and engineers.”
He went on to add that creating
more green jobs will help the UK to emerge successfully from the recession and
into a sustainable low-carbon future. However, to fill the skills gap there may
need to be an increase in the number of UK work visas awarded to skilled
foreigners who wish to move to the UK.
Although increased training will
also play a part, UK immigration is likely to help fill these skills shortages in
important industries in the coming years.
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