The construction industry is at the core of the UK’s ambitious Net Zero target, offering a responsibility and an opportunity to lead the low-carbon transition. As climate urgency grows, the demand for green construction skills is accelerating.
In 2024, green job postings increased by 9.2% across the UK, despite a 22.5% decline in the overall job market. Green jobs rose by 62.8%, adding nearly 39,900 positions in construction alone.
The transition to sustainable practices is about adopting new technologies and materials and equipping the workforce with the skills to implement them effectively. From architects to site workers, every role is transforming and green skills training is the foundation for that change.
A workforce trained in sustainable practices is key to implementing energy-efficient design and renewable energy for the Net Zero transition. Without it, advanced innovation risks being wasted.
For businesses, investing in green upskilling is more than compliance—it’s a competitive edge. Green skills training is no longer optional. It’s the fastest way to meet climate targets and build a resilient, sustainable industry.
Green Skills in construction: Why they’re essential for Net Zero
In construction, green skills refer to the technical knowledge and practical expertise needed to design, build, retrofit, and maintain sustainable infrastructure. These skills enable professionals to reduce environmental impact, optimise energy performance, and align with Net Zero targets.
Green skills are the foundation of energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy integration and low-carbon construction methods. By integrating green skills training into workforce development, the construction industry can remain compliant with emerging regulations.
However, 20% of UK workers will see major disruption from the Net Zero transition. The opportunity it presents is significant, with an estimated 135,000 to 725,000 new jobs by 2030 across retrofit, renewables, and EV manufacturing.
Green skills are expanding to environmental scientists and engineers; they’re needed by every tradesperson on-site. Key examples include:
- Energy Modelling: Advanced techniques to improve a building’s efficiency around heating, cooling, and energy demand reduction.
- Green Retrofitting: Expertise in upgrading existing buildings through high-performance insulation, air sealing, and ventilation to meet efficiency standards.
- Low-Carbon Material: Mastery of sustainable materials, including engineered timber, recycled steel, and carbon-neutral concrete to minimise embodied carbon.
- Water Conservation & Rainwater Harvesting: Implementation of water-saving technologies, including rainwater harvesting and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).
- Renewable Energy Integration: Proficiency in solar PV, ground and air source heat pumps, and EV charging systems to support low-carbon buildings.
- Carbon Footprint Assessment: Rigorous assessment and mitigation of emissions across materials, construction processes, and lifecycle operations.
The skills gap is holding back sustainable construction
The construction sector is facing a critical skills gap despite rising demand for a green workforce. The UK needs an estimated 250,000 additional workers with green skills by 2028 to stay on track with its Net Zero goals.
As of 2024, the sector is experiencing shortages across key retrofit roles—assessors, solid wall technicians, roof and floor installers, and cavity wall insulation specialists. Without a trained workforce, progress toward sustainable construction, low-carbon solutions and renewable technologies will derail.
Key issues contributing to the gap include:
- Limited access to specialised green skills training
- Unclear understanding of green job and green role
- Workforce resistance to adapting to new technologies and practices
- Uncoordinated training credentials
- Inconsistent government messaging, support and incentives
Bridging this gap through green skills training and targeted programmes is no longer optional—it’s an opportunity. Hands-on learning is needed to prepare the workforce to meet regulatory demands and support the transition.
How Green Skills training accelerates workforce transformations
Exposing the construction sector’s Net Zero potential starts by prioritising green skills training. Upskilling the workforce in sustainable practices and low-carbon technologies is essential for future-proofing the industry.
Here’s why:
- Stay compliant with industry standards: Upskill teams to meet PAS 2035 requirements.
- Meet growing industry demand: Provide low-carbon solutions according to clients’ expectations.
- Build future-proof careers: Green skills training increases employability.
- Improve on-site delivery: Skilled teams work smarter and efficiently.
- Access government incentives & funding: Training strengthens the workforce and opens doors to funding and innovation.
Green skills are more than technical expertise—they are the foundation for a sustainable built environment. By investing in green skills training, businesses can turn Net Zero targets into measurable outcomes. Moreover, firms ensure commercial viability and long-term impact for future advancements.
Green Skills training for low-carbon construction: Industry pathways
The construction sector leads towards innovation when sustainability merges with technical expertise. The workforce transformation calls for targeted upskilling at every level, whether site teams, contractors, or senior leaders.
Green skills training must extend foundational knowledge and advanced expertise to meet the UK’s Net Zero targets. Training programmes must provide expertise beyond basics, tailored to today’s advanced construction demands. These programmes are key to equipping the workforce with practical, sustainable practices across the construction project lifecycle.
Effective green skills training aligns with a range of business needs. The most impactful training pathways include:
1. Vocational Courses and Apprenticeships
A £140 million investment will deliver 5,000 additional construction apprenticeship placements annually, supported by 32 new Homebuilding Skills Hubs across England. These hubs are designed to accelerate housing delivery while strengthening workforce capabilities through hands-on training.
Further Education (FE) colleges are upgrading their curricula to embed core green skills, including:
- Insulation and airtightness techniques
- Renewable energy system installation
- Low-carbon technologies integration
- Retrofitting accreditation
Green skills are no longer optional—they’re built into modern apprenticeships as essential components for Net Zero goals.
Quantum Training empowers the workforce by offering hands-on Green Skills Training Solutions through custom-built Training Bays with real-world simulations. Our facilities cover Solar Thermal, Air Source & Ground Source Heat Pumps, Retrofit, Electrical Ecosystem, and Rainwater Harvesting—ensuring learners gain hands-on expertise from day one.
2. Professional Certifications
Mid-career professionals can upskill their credentials through recognised certifications in sustainability roles, including:
- BREEAM Accredited Professional
- Passive House Designer/Tradesperson
- Domestic Retrofit Coordinator (PAS 2035)
- Low Carbon Consultant (CIBSE)
These industry-standard qualifications are essential for delivering compliant, large-scale energy upgrades and underpin effective green skills training.
3. On-the-Job & CPD Integration
Businesses are integrating green skills into their continuing professional development (CPD) strategies. This includes:
- Site-based mentoring on Net Zero standards.
- Toolbox talks on emerging tech such as smart metering and EV charging.
- Digital CPD modules for upskilling on new technologies.
4. Digital Learning Platforms
Digital platforms: FutureLearn and Coursera provide accessible, flexible courses on sustainable construction and zero-energy building fundamentals. These options fit the busy schedules of construction professionals seeking to build green skills.
By combining solid theoretical knowledge with practical application, professionals develop into well-rounded experts in sustainable construction.
5. Manufacturer-Led Tech Training
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of sustainable construction technologies, like heat pumps and smart metering, offer product-specific training. This is essential for installers and technicians to keep pace with innovation. OEM-certified courses include:
- Heat Pumps (ASHP/GSHP)
- Rainwater Harvesting Systems
- AI-Driven Energy Management Tools
- Solar PV Systems
- Smart Metering
OEM-led training provides expertise on installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting for branded systems. Such practical training ensures installers understand the exact processes behind those installations and are fully deployment-ready. Manufacturers provide hands-on simulations by partnering with industry leaders, such as Daikin.
Sector deep dive: Green Skills across construction roles
The construction industry is transitioning to Net Zero, and green skills are often perceived as a niche. Architects embed sustainable design, site managers adopt low-carbon methods, and the green workforce is reshaping. However, every construction role is transforming.
Integrating green skills across all roles is key to accelerating Net Zero progress while maintaining efficiency. Practical Green Skills Training reinforces the idea that new knowledge can upgrade existing skills to meet innovative standards.
How green skills are interpreted across key construction roles in the UK:
| Construction Role | Traditional Skills | Equivalent Green Skills | Net Zero Goals |
| Electrician | Wiring & electrical systems | Solar PV, Battery storage, EV charging systems, Wind installation, Smart grids | Enables clean energy transition |
| Plumber & HVAC Specialists | Heating and hot water systems, Pipe installations | Geothermal systems installations, Heat pump installation, Low-flow water system design | Cuts building heating emissions |
| Carpenter | Joinery and structural framing, Woodworking | Working with FSC-certified timber, Airtightness detailing, Sustainable timber sourcing, Modular/prefab techniques | Decreases deforestation and waste |
| Site Manager | Project coordination | Lean construction, Waste management & reduction strategies, Sustainability KPIs management | Lowers emissions & waste |
| Architect & Designers | Conventional building design | Sustainable materials, Passive solar design, energy modelling, Carbon assessment | Reduces embodied carbon |
| Quantity Surveyor | Compliance inspection, Cost estimation | Energy audits, Retrofit planning, Life-cycle costing, Carbon footprint analysis | Enhances building efficiency |
| Project Managers | Construction coordination | Green procurement, Carbon tracking | Aligns projects with Net Zero |
| Civil Engineers | Concrete expertise | Low-carbon concrete, Sustainable drainage systems’ understanding | Reduces infrastructure emissions |
Government policy & industry initiatives: Driving the green skills agenda
The UK’s Net Zero Strategy is driving a major shift in construction skills, aiming to decarbonise the economy by 2050. Green skills are central to transforming the built environment, with the Heat and Buildings Strategy emphasising the urgent need for trained heat pump installers and retrofit specialists.
Policies like the Construction Playbook enforce modern construction methods and carbon assessments on public projects. Regional Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) align training with industry needs. However, the Green Jobs Delivery Group standardised the green qualifications to empower a future-ready green workforce.
The CITB Green Careers Guide offers clear direction for professionals adapting to this evolving landscape. These policies reshape funding, contracts, and workforce standards, while accelerating the sustainable construction transition.
The business case for investing in Green Skills
For employers, green skills training is more than a cost—it’s a strategic investment in capability, compliance, and competitive edge. Organisations that prioritise workforce development in sustainable practices meet regulatory requirements while unlocking opportunities for innovation.
Beyond compliance, green skills enhance operational performance, support environmental goals, and help attract sustainability-conscious clients. By investing in green skills training, businesses position themselves for long-term growth, resilience, and leadership in a low-carbon economy.
Key benefits include:
- Access to new markets and competitive advantage: The Public sector increasingly requires sustainability certifications while attracting new clients who prioritise sustainable practices.
- Improved retention: Staff and entrants value career development opportunities and future-proof skills for growth.
- Lower rework costs and savings: Skilled teams deploy energy-efficient practices that drastically lower operational expenses.
- Positive brand positioning and reputation building: A sustainability leader can attract talent and investors who align with ESG goals.
Demystifying myths: Quantum Training’s approach to Green Skills training
In the construction sector, scepticism around green skills often comes from outdated perceptions and resistance to change. Sustainability practices are perceived as technical or academic, a threat to traditional craftsmanship, costly or disruptive and slow.
These myths must be challenged head-on with:
- Hands-on Green Skills Training: Practical training equips learners with expertise and real-world skills in sustainable construction techniques and renewable technologies.
- Green Construction Projects: Regulations require sustainability on even small domestic builds.
- Quality Craftsmanship: Green building demands precision, quality, and thoughtful execution—hallmarks of skilled trades.
Training programmes must cover key areas such as renewable energy integration and sustainable material use. Curriculum evolves with changing regulations and technologies. Therefore, equipping professionals with practical knowledge is essential for implementing sustainable practices effectively.
By addressing these myths, Quantum Training helps construction teams understand the long-term value of green skills, from cost savings and compliance to improved reputation and competitive advantage. Through hands-on, custom-built Training Bays, Quantum Training empowers a green workforce ready to meet the demands of a Net Zero future.
Conclusion: Building a green workforce for a Net Zero future
The UK’s pathway to Net Zero brings both opportunity and responsibility. In the construction sector, green skills drive meaningful transformation, supporting compliance, resilience, innovation, and long-term progress.
Green skills training bridges the gap between ambition and action. Developing green skills expertise is not a diversion from career growth—it’s essential to staying relevant and leading the industry’s evolution.
With hands-on, industry-aligned programmes, learners can gain practical skills and thrive in the built environment. Whether professionals or businesses in the sector are looking to expand expertise, the future of construction is green.
FAQs
What are the core areas Quantum Training focuses on in green skills?
Quantum Training focuses on two key pillars to develop a green workforce for sustainable construction:
- Technical Expertise: Building knowledge in renewable energy systems, low-carbon technologies, and sustainable building practices.
- Practical Application: Gaining hands-on experience through custom-built Training Bays in Retrofit, Solar Thermal, Heat Pumps, Solar Photovoltaics, EV Charging and Battery Storage
These foundations prepare learners to meet current industry standards and the demands of a low-carbon economy.
How does green skills training support the UK’s Net Zero targets and workforce action plan?
Educational providers and regional partners: Further Education Colleges (FECs), Chamber of Commerce and local training providers collaborate to deliver scalable, high-quality training to support the UK’s Net Zero transition. Green skills training is key to closing the skills gap by equipping entrants and experienced professionals with in-demand skills.
How does green skills training help future-proof a construction career?
Professionals trained in green skills are better positioned for long-term success. With growing demand for sustainable expertise, these individuals will access higher-value projects, meet evolving regulations, and remain indispensable to employers and clients.
