Despite growing numbers of jobs in green industry, a new report highlights that 40–65-year-old workers see green jobs as ‘riskier’ than ‘traditional’ jobs in terms of pay and security requirements.

Phoenix Group is calling on the Government to provide better retraining, more age inclusive advertising of green jobs and to ensure employers review the pay and conditions of these roles to attract experienced midlife and over 50s workers to this growing sector, to the benefit of individuals, businesses and the UK economy.

The UK’s current green skills gap is estimated at 200,000 workers and cannot be bridged by new labour market entrants and early career workers alone. As such, encouraging mid- to late-career workers to switch careers is essential for meeting near-term climate goals.

Approximately one third of the UK workforce is over the age of 50 and many work in sectors that are transitioning or phasing down and have valuable transferable skillsets. The report found that workers in this age group felt that green jobs were more suited to younger workers and were unfamiliar with what green jobs were. This included unfamiliarity with green jobs in sectors where net zero transition will be key, such as constructing and installing low-carbon technologies.

Phoenix Group’s Patrick Thomson, head of research, analysis and policy at Phoenix Insights, commented: “Many of us will want or need to change careers before we retire to bring fresh challenges, more flexibility, or if our current role or industry doesn’t feel secure in the long-term. But too many experienced workers don’t feel able to make a change at this crucial stage in their lives.”

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