Meeting the Low Carbon Skills Challenge

23 June 2010

The RSC response to this DECC consultation in June 2010 fed into a wider Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) consultation on 'Skills for Sustainable Growth'.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills provision will form the fundamental basis of a move to a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy. 

UK science holds the key to delivering a 'green collar' workforce for the low-carbon industries of the future. A robust skills pipeline with strength in STEM will be able to react rapidly and flexibly to the specialist demands of emerging sectors.

Greater support for education in our schools and universities must be provided to generate a steady supply of talented, highly-skilled individuals who will become the next generation of scientists and engineers and members of a wider, scientifically literate workforce. 

A strong two-way relationship between academia and industry is essential for ensuring that the low carbon skills pipeline is healthy and fulfilling its intents and purposes. This will put the UK in the best position to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise from the move to a low carbon and resource efficient economy. 

It is vital that our universities continue to attract international students and our high technology industries continue to attract foreign investment, if we are to make the UK a global marketplace for the development of low carbon skills.