Recruitment in the green jobs market in Wales has contracted by a quarter this year, according to new research from professional advisory firm PwC.
Its third annual Green Jobs Barometer is based on adverts for green jobs – defined as roles seeking to produce or provide environmentally friendly products and services, or adapting work processes to become more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources.
In Wales, the number of total jobs advertised fell 21.6%, but for green jobs the decline was higher at 25.2%. Advertised green roles for the UK as a whole has dipped 26%, but at a lower rate than the overall jobs advertised decline of 29%.
The report identifies that green jobs tend to be higher quality jobs, reflecting both higher levels of pay and greater levels of job satisfaction compared to non-green roles.
The higher level of pay is not simply a reflection of the skills required; there is also a pay premium, with 60% of occupations commanding a 23% pay premium on average for entry level roles.
The barometer tracks movements in green job creation, the wider benefits created by green jobs, job losses associated with net zero transition, carbon intensity of employment and green workspaces, across the UK and sectors.
When ranked against these five pillars, Wales is ranked eighth of the UK’s nations and regions.
While Wales saw a 45.1% increase in the number of green job adverts in the public administration and defence sector, this was offset by reductions in other industries including manufacturing (minus 58.4%), transportation and storage ( minus 51.5%), and accommodation and food service activities ( minus 62.8%).
John-Paul Barker, regional market leader for PwC in Wales and the west of England said: “Wales has enormous potential for sustainable energy generation, and by extension green manufacturing and industry; people working in green roles will be key to unlocking it. When the job market improves, it’s crucial that momentum for green jobs does too.
“Our research shows that green jobs tend to be better-paid, have higher job satisfaction and create additional benefits for society; the development of the green jobs market here has the potential to drive social outcomes as well as environmental change.”
Ben Burggraaf, chief executive of Net Zero Industry Wales, said:“Wales is on the verge of a significant industrial transformation, this time not powered by Welsh coal, but Welsh renewable energy and other low-carbon energy, which has the potential to make Wales the country of choice for sustainable goods and services.
Wales is a nation rooted in a proud industrial heritage, ready to pioneer once again and thrive – benefiting our future generations.
“The slowing rate of green job creation, shown in PwC’s research, is indicative of the transition that Welsh industry is going through, while it prepares itself for the significant, unprecedented scale of investment needed to kick-start the green-industrial transformation.
“It’s important to note that existing skills and jobs associated with carbon-intensive industries are for a large part transferable to the green industries of the future.”
