Bradford Council has welcomed the Government’s announcement that up to 400,000 green energy jobs will be created by 2030.
Over the weekend Government announced its plans to train “the next generation of clean energy workers”, hoping to double the amount of people employed in the sector in the next five years.
Bradford is expected to see a big boost in green energy jobs in the coming years, with a new hydrogen production facility planned for Bowling Back Lane.
The Government announcement includes a pledge to create five new Technical Excellence Colleges to help train young people into essential roles, work to “harness the valuable expertise and transferrable skills of veterans” and programmes to train up ex-offenders, school leavers, and the unemployed to work in the clean energy sector.
Making the announcement, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Communities have long been calling out for a new generation of good industrial jobs. The clean energy jobs boom can answer that call, and today we publish a landmark national plan to make it happen.
“Our plans will help create an economy in which there is no need to leave your hometown just to find a decent job.
“Thanks to this government’s commitment to clean energy, a generation of young people in our industrial heartlands can have well-paid secure jobs, from plumbers to electricians and welders.
“This is a pro-worker, pro-jobs, pro-union, agenda that will deliver the national renewal our country needs.”
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council said: “I welcome the Government’s support for clean energy jobs which will help build on our collaborations with businesses, communities and partner organisations to accelerate green jobs and growth in the district.
“Bradford is setting the pace for clean energy innovation, with construction soon beginning on the UK’s largest low-carbon hydrogen production facility at Bowling Back Lane.
“Once operational, it will produce 12.5 tonnes of hydrogen daily, support 125 skilled jobs, and inject £120 million into the local economy.
“We recognise our role in building a cleaner, greener, healthier and more prosperous future. We’re actively pursuing funding and partnerships that unlock long-term employment opportunities for clean energy workers.
“This is about building a cleaner, fairer, and more prosperous future that is powered by green jobs for everyone in the Bradford district.”
A low carbon energy plant is also being built in Bradford, on Thornton Road, which will use air source heat pumps to provide low carbon heating to numerous public buildings.
