Through the Skills for Energy programme the East Midlands Development Agency is supporting this work between Further Education colleges and energy companies to harness the talent and the ingenuity of the next generation. This means that over the next two years 1200 training opportunities will be offered in technologies from biomass heating to hybrid electric vehicle maintenance.
The Low Carbon Action Plan to convert the UK onto a permanent low carbon footing and simultaneously grab maximum economic benefit was published by Ministers from across Government today.
The Plan is the most systematic response to climate change of any major developed economy, and sets the standard for others in the run up to crucial global climate talks in Copenhagen in December. It plots out how a 34% reduction in emissions will be achieved by 2020 on 1990 levels. 21% has already been delivered, on the way to an 80% cut by 2050.
In his speech to the University of Northampton last week, Minister for Energy and Climate Change David Kidney said:
"The UK has a significant share of the £3 trillion global low carbon market, which is set to increase by half in the next few years.
“If we are to take advantage of this opportunity, we’ll need to nurture young people – since they will inherit the world that politicians are shaping right now. We must ensure we have a workforce that is equipped today with the right skills to do tomorrows jobs. From the creativity, energy and ideas I’ve seen in the East Midlands I’m confident we have what it takes to drive forward the change we need.”
Sales of Low Carbon Goods and Service in the East Midlands in 2007/08 were valued at £7.1billion, with around 3,400 companies engaged in the sector employing 62,000 staff.
The UK Climate Projections published last month show that if we don’t take action by 2080 the temperature for the hottest day of the year in the East Midlands could increase by a scorching 90 C and even by 2040 there could be 10 per cent less rainfall in the summer leading to subsidence, lower crop yields and water stress.
Minister for the East Midlands Phil Hope said:
“Simple actions can make a big difference. For example, a way of using energy more efficiently, called voltage optimisation, in my own Government Office in the East Midlands has seen an immediate reduction in energy consumption of 17%.
“There are many examples across the region of organisations which are using renewable energy technologies, such as the Hockerton Housing Project, in Nottinghamshire, which uses solar power, wind turbines and passive solar heating.
“I am also very proud that all our local authorities in the region have included a carbon target in their local area agreements.”
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