Green Jobs in the North East – Powering Britain’s Clean Energy Future
We are at the forefront of the UK’s green energy story.
North East Mayor Kim McGuiness has made it a mission to make this region the home of the green energy revolution. Led by the North East Combined Authority and backed by the Government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan, our region is set to benefit from record investment, new training opportunities, and the creation of thousands of secure, well-paid green jobs over the next 20 years.
Why Green Jobs Matter in the North East
National Leadership: The UK’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan will nearly double the clean energy workforce to 860,000 by 2030, with at least 400,000 new jobs created across the country. The North East is a key hub for offshore wind, clean fuels, and energy innovation.
Local Opportunity: we aim to create up to 25,000 green energy jobs in the North East, offering a new generation of young people the chance to build rewarding careers close to home.
Forecasts suggest thousands of new roles in engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance plus emerging roles in digital, project management, and environmental services. For example, heat networks alone could create over 5,500 jobs in the region, supported by £11-13 billion in investment.
Good Jobs, Fair Pay: Green energy roles offer higher-than-average salaries (often 23% above the UK average). We are committed to ensuring these are good jobs - secure, safe, well-paid, and accessible to all.
What’s Changing? – The Clean Energy Jobs Plan in Action
Major Investment: Over £50 billion in clean energy investment has been announced since July 2024, the largest in UK history. This is driving growth in wind, solar, nuclear, carbon capture, and energy efficiency projects.
31 Priority Occupations: The Government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan identifies key roles in demand - electricians, welders, engineers, project managers, plumbers, and more. Many of these jobs do not require a university degree, opening up new pathways for school leavers and career changers.
Skills for the Future: The North East’s colleges and universities are already leading the way in green skills provision with a strong base of skilled workers in construction, engineering, and digital. Industry and local colleges are already collaborating to train up the next generation of workers in the North East. Newcastle College’s Energy Academy runs subsea and renewable energy training and Mayor Kim is leading a sustained programme of investment and skills training for more specialist training and upskilling to meet future demand, including the new Energy Central Learning Hub in Blyth.
Support for Workers: Our Skills Bootcamps will help workers from traditional industries transition into clean energy roles, ensuring no one is left behind.
The North East Advantage
Offshore Wind & Renewables: Our region is a national leader in offshore wind, with major projects and supply chains creating thousands of jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and maintenance.
Heat Networks & Clean Heat: Over 30 heat network projects are in development, supported by around £13 billion in investment and are set to deliver more than 5,500 jobs locally.
Construction & Retrofit: There are currently over 3,000 construction vacancies in the region, with strong demand for skills in civil engineering, electrical systems, and project management.
Inclusive Growth: Our mission to make the North East the home of the green energy revolution ensures that green jobs are accessible to everyone, with a focus on supporting young people, women, and underrepresented groups to enter the sector.
Skills, Training, and Pathways
Technical Excellence Colleges
The North East is bidding to host one of the new Clean Energy Technical Excellence Colleges, building on successful skills bootcamps and strong local provision.
Apprenticeships & Bootcamps
Expanded apprenticeships and skills bootcamps are helping residents gain the qualifications needed for green jobs, from engineering to digital and project management.
Career Fairs & Outreach
Events like the Green Careers Fair at the Port of Tyne are connecting young people and jobseekers with employers, training providers, and universities.
what are our short-term priorities:
Invest in infrastructure, innovation, and skills
to drive forward the North East offshore wind
industry and create new jobs and careers.
Create thousands more job opportunities in
electric vehicle manufacturing.
Increase electric vehicle charge points and
zero emission buses.
Work with our education providers to create
a green energy super academy.
Create a Green Superport, providing a
framework for our ports to collaborate and
present our world-leading offer.
Explore plans set out in the Mayor’s
manifesto for a North East Carbon and
Nature Marketplace to offset carbon
in local projects, improving lives and
restoring nature.