L-R Jonathan Shaw, Gavin Batty, Nikki Davis, Gary Lawson, Laura Guymer, Ken Taylor, and Simeon Perry.jpg — Pictured, from left to right, are Jonathan Shaw, deputy chief executive at Efficiency North; Gavin Batty, vice principal at Barnsley College; Nikki Davis, principal and chief executive at Leeds College of Building; Gary Lawson, managing director at Sustainable Building Services UK; Laura Guymer, deputy director of skills at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Ken Taylor, chair at EN:Able Communities; and Simeon Perry, head of operations at EN:Able Communities at the inaugural meeting of the Yorkshire and the Humber Green Skills Advisory Panel

Panel helping build a greener future in Yorkshire

A cross-sector group of Yorkshire-based organisations are working together to tackle the green construction skills shortage.

The newly formed Yorkshire and the Humber Green Skills Advisory Panel (GSAP) held its inaugural meeting at Leeds College of Building, bringing together experts in housing, engineering, manufacturing and education.

Part of a UK-wide initiative, GSAP aims to support the green workforce needed to meet national net-zero targets.

With over 13,000 new construction workers required in North Yorkshire and York by 2031, and West Yorkshire aiming to retrofit all social housing by 2038 – including the installation of 838,000 heat pumps – demand for skilled workers is rapidly rising.

Founding members include EN:Able Communities, Barnsley College Leeds College of Building, Sustainable Building Services Ltd, with support from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

Officials say the panel will focus on strengthening regional green talent pipelines and will “harness the power of collaboration” to create accessible career pathways across Yorkshire and the Humber.

Simeon Perry, head of operations at EN:Able Communities, said: “It should come as no surprise that some of the sectors most in need of levelling up are those with the fewest opportunities.

“While it won’t happen overnight, real change is essential, especially in regions like ours, where the ambition is high but the solutions are few.

“By joining forces with key construction businesses across Yorkshire and the Humber, we’re able to harness the power of collaboration to address the industry’s future capacity challenges.

“That means not just increasing headcount but also investing in and supporting the existing workforce.”

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