The UK is experiencing a green jobs boom, with more companies that ever before looking to fill green roles and train existing employees in sustainability skills.
That is the conclusion of the latest quarterly Hiring Trends Index report from recruitment specialise Totaljobs, which is based on a survey of over 1,000 HR decision makers. It found that 23 per cent of companies are increasing the number of green roles within their business – and increase of 677 per cent in four years.
Moreover, 40 per cent of businesses are set to either increase or continue providing opportunities and training for green focused roles.
The increase in recruitment is in support of growing numbers of corporate sustainability programmes, with 84 per cent of respondents saying they are reaping the benefits of green initiatives, with 40 per cent saying they seen an improvement in financial performance.
The study found that green recruitment trends are running counter to the wider market, which is experiencing a slowdown in hiring as companies adjust to on-going economic headwinds.
The report also echoes previous studies on green recruitment trends, highlighting how corporate sustainability initiatives can help attract and retain talent.
It found that 82 per cent of employees want their employer to address climate change, with interest in environmental issues particularly apparent among younger employees. Almost two thirds of Millennials said that if a business produced products that were harmful to the environment, they would not apply for a role within that company, while almost half said they specifically look for opportunities with sustainable employers.
In addition, over a third of businesses said they had received feedback from employees on their approach to climate change, while four in five candidates said they would have a higher job satisfaction working for a sustainable employer.
Julius Probst, European labour market economist at Totaljobs, said: “Environmental policy is a roadmap for businesses and investors looking to embrace sustainability. Therefore, the prime minister’s recent announcements on net zero targets and policy changes might impact upcoming business decisions. However, despite this, it’s evident that the UK’s low carbon and renewable energy sector will sustain its growth, making sustainability a pivotal aspect for attracting talent.
“Not only is there a wider societal and environmental need to go green, but it could help attract and retain talent as candidates become more aware of ESG importance. For employers facing difficulties in sourcing talent within competitive timelines, showcasing your sustainability initiatives isn’t just a tool to enhance your employer branding; it’s a compelling incentive for candidates to seriously consider your organisation.”
Data earlier this year from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed that revenues for the Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economy (LCREE) sector rose 30.8 per cent in 2021 to £54.4bn, despite considerable Covid-related disruption, while employment also increased by 16.4 per cent over the period to 247,400 employees.
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