The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has published a new report warning that the government’s target to decarbonise all buildings by 2050 will be missed unless “significant new intervention” in the UK workforce is made
The report, ‘Workforce planning to deliver clean, secure energy’, was published on 5 December 2025 and follows a House of Commons inquiry exploring the difficulties of recruiting and retraining the workforce to deliver a clean energy sector and retrofit homes and businesses.
The committee found that, in light of the government’s deadlines to deliver clean energy by 2030 and decarbonised buildings by 2050, the current supply of skilled labour did not meet the demand.
It is understood that the UK requires approximately 250,000 additional workers to meet the government’s new housing targets and “millions more for retrofit”. The committee stated that these targets could only be met through a new, nationally recognised, industry-backed construction and retrofit skills programme:
“Evidence demonstrates that the current system lacks alignment between education and industry, and that professional pathways remain unclear to prospective entrants. Witnesses highlighted persistent diversity gaps, including women making up less than 15% of the construction workforce, and underrepresentation among ethnic minority groups.”
The report noted there was scope for “smart policy and expenditure to be used to collaborate with the whole energy sector, as well as the education and skills sector, to empower and equip existing workers and new entrants”. Many of the skills of the existing energy, engineering, and construction workforces were highly transferable, the committee said, with the potential for “innovative and creative programmes to demonstrate crossover applicable skills from other parts of the economy”.
In addition to recommending that the government continue tackling the barriers preventing existing energy sector workers from transitioning successfully, the committee also called for ‘local skilled labour’ conditions in Contracts for Difference, an expanded skills passport scheme, a leading role for local authorities, and greater clarity for industry on levies, EPC ratings, and the Warm Homes Plan.
Also recommended was the expansion of “‘try-before-you-buy’ training opportunities”, as evidence showed that up to 70% of individuals starting construction-related further education (FE) qualifications did not complete or enter the sector, with FE students “often lacking structured opportunities to translate classroom learning into on-site experience”.
Chair of the Committee, Bill Esterson MP, said:
“It is essential that we build the workforce for the energy transition so that the Government can hit its clean energy targets and, importantly, ensure that the UK makes the most of the growth opportunity of the century.
“The Committee has found that market forces alone cannot overcome the skills gap. We need policy certainty for the long-term, locally directed investment in training, and policies that make clean energy careers attractive and accessible.
“For British workers, this isn’t about hitting deadlines; it’s about securing good jobs, driving innovation, and ensuring Britain leads in the global race for clean energy.”
You can access the full committee report here.