Written By:
Director for South Wales
HVM Catapult
There is a tendency to talk about green skills as if they are something entirely new, something separate from existing industries and expertise. In reality, many of these skills are extensions of what businesses already do.
Manufacturing, for example, has always had to adapt, future-proof and upskill its workforce. The transition to net zero is no different – it is just the next step for an industry that has always evolved.
Take the work we do at the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult. We have cutting-edge technology at our site in Baglan, a joint venture with Welsh Government, and at AMRC Cymru in Broughton, including the latest VR training systems and collaborative robots. To a lay person, these might seem daunting, but an experienced engineer who has worked in manufacturing would walk into our digital factory hub in Baglan and, within a short time, be able to use them. The skills they have – problem-solving, systems thinking, hands-on engineering – transfer easily. What is needed is confidence and access to the right training to bridge the gap.
This is why it is so important to focus on upskilling, not just training new entrants. The people already working in our industries have the knowledge and experience to adapt – they just need a pathway. Too often businesses feel overwhelmed, unsure of what skills they need or how to access training and that is where better collaboration is essential. Businesses, training providers and government need to work closely to predict what skills are needed in the future and ensure the right opportunities are in place.
Some of this is already happening. Wales has a strong manufacturing heritage, and many firms are already pivoting towards green technologies. The floating offshore wind developments in the Celtic Sea are a good example, combining elements of existing offshore wind structures with designs from oil and gas platforms. That means they require a mix of new knowledge with existing expertise. Wales has an opportunity to lead the UK and the world here, but only if we ensure that businesses and workers have the right skills to seize the opportunity.
Apprenticeships are another area where more focus is needed. In our network of centres around UK, HVM Catapult has around 1,700 apprentices studying right now and offers more than 200 advanced technical courses. But in Wales, apprenticeships are not where they need to be. If we are serious about upskilling for the future, we need to see a stronger commitment to developing apprenticeships that align with industry needs.
If businesses are to invest in upskilling their workforce, they need a clear vision of where industry is heading. That is why the forthcoming UK Government Industrial Strategy is so important. Manufacturers need confidence that there is a long-term plan for green skills, net zero, and digital transformation. When they can see a direction of travel, they can make informed decisions about where to invest in skills, but without that clarity, businesses are left trying to make sense of a complex landscape on their own.
Wales is already home to industries that will be central to the green economy – from manufacturing to semiconductors, offshore wind to advanced materials, we have the expertise. But we must ensure that businesses and their workforces can access the training they need, whether that’s through apprenticeships, short courses or in-house upskilling. If we get that right, the transition to green skills will not be an insurmountable challenge – it will simply be the next step in an industry that has always adapted.
