Demand for green jobs in the Midlands remains resilient despite cooling labour market

The number of green jobs advertised in the Midlands has fallen from the record levels recorded in 2022, but demand remains resilient as more green jobs were created in 2023 as a proportion of the Midlands employment market, finds PwC’s latest Green Jobs Barometer.

East Midlands 

In the East Midlands, there were 13,057 green opportunities advertised in 2023, compared to over 20,500 in 2022, a 36.1% decrease. Green jobs accounted for 2.15% of total overall roles in the region in 2023, decreasing slightly from 2.17% in 2022. 

While the barometer found a 22.4% increase in the number of green jobs advertised in the public administration and defence; compulsory social security sector, this was offset by reductions in other sectors including manufacturing ( -50.4%) and construction (-50.6%).  

West Midlands 

There were 16,157 green opportunities advertised in the region in 2023, compared to just over 24,000 in 2022, a 32.8% decrease. However, green jobs accounted for 2.10% of total overall roles in the region in 2023 increasing slightly from 2.03% in 2022. 

The report also found that green jobs in financial services (2.5%) and the public sector (6.7%) in the West Midlands have increased, while green jobs in sectors including manufacturing (-53.3%) and construction (-39.9%) have decreased. 

The barometer results come during a challenging economic time which has seen the number of total advertised roles in the UK fall by 29%, while the number of green jobs fell by 26%.

Becky Clayton, ESG Deals Partner at PwC Midlands, said: 

“Despite 2023 being an economically challenging year, it is positive to see that the West Midlands increased the proportion of green jobs advertised compared to total jobs. Green jobs represent the future of work and demand for these types of roles and skills will grow over the next decade, driven by the green agenda and the UK's commitment to Net Zero. 

“Employers in the Midlands have an opportunity to innovate and consider how their operations can become greener, particularly in the manufacturing sector that represents a high proportion of the Midlands economy. The decline in green jobs in this sector is, in part, to economic challenges and businesses focusing on short term needs instead of looking at future investments. However, while these jobs are future focused, investing in the right areas now could also help alleviate some current issues too. 

“For example, there are new emerging industries such as CleanTech (renewable energy or electric vehicles for example) where demand for skills is expected to increase. Embracing new, greener technologies and investing in skills will provide benefits for business operations and more employment opportunities in the region, as well as making the Midlands a more sustainable region.”

Overall, PwC’s Green Jobs Barometer, now in its third year, identified 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 for many entry level roles with 60% of occupations commanding a 23% pay premium on average for entry level roles. The Barometer also highlighted that green jobs tend to require longer working hours and are more likely than non-green roles to be based on temporary employment contracts. 

Commenting on the UK’s Green Jobs Barometer results, Carl Sizer, Head of Regions and Platforms at PwC, said: 

“Green jobs are a good proxy for the greening of the economy. That green jobs account for a growing proportion of the jobs market is encouraging, but we need to see a significant increase in new green jobs to meet net zero goals. A drop in the number of advertised roles is concerning given the scale of what needs to be achieved. 

“It’s more important than ever to ensure that the transition towards a low-carbon economy brings workers and communities with it. Our research also points to the benefits of green jobs for workers, with better pay and job satisfaction, but highlights different sectors and regions that stand to be affected differently. Concerted effort will be needed to spread the benefits of green jobs and a green economy.”

Green jobs concentrated in white collar and skilled professions

New analysis in this year's Barometer reveals that on a range of measures, access to green jobs remains unevenly spread by background, undercutting the opportunity for a competitive and equitable green job market.

• Compared to the labour market overall, green jobs tend to be concentrated in “white collar” roles and require a higher level of education at degree level or equivalent. This is especially true in the regions which have seen the strongest performance of green jobs; in Scotland, London and the South East almost 40% of green jobs advertised require a university degree or equivalent experience. 

• Workers from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds are underrepresented in green roles compared to their share of the labour market overall. For example in London, where workers from these communities account for 36% of the workforce they account for only 30% of workers in green jobs. 

• A significant proportion of the rise in green jobs has been driven by roles requiring a background in science, technology and maths (STEM), subjects that are well-known to traditionally under-represent women. 

Lynne Baber, Sustainability Leader at PwC UK, added: 

“Improving access to green jobs will help ensure that the opportunities are evenly spread. It will also help mitigate against the risks of companies struggling to fill green roles. If managed correctly, the green economy can help tackle long-standing inequalities in society by equipping workers with the skills and tools to access the green opportunities of the future. But it will require cross-sector and regional collaboration,  expanding opportunities to diverse populations and creating  jobs that are closer to local communities - for example nature positive jobs as without nature there can be no net zero.”