
Boost for UK’s Green Skills with appointment of former Skills Minister as Honorary Chair
The Green Construction Advisory Panel (GCAP), which was originally established by Exeter College as a South West England based membership group and then rolled out internationally earlier this year, is widening its scope in its aim to address the green skills gap in the UK more broadly. The newly re-named Green Skills Advisory Panel (GSAP) is on a mission to close the green skills gap and provide entry routes into green careers by establishing a UK-wide framework. It aims to upskill the current workforce and educate new entrants to adopt emerging technologies, consider the environmental impact of construction, engineering and manufacturing, and identify how industries can help meet Net Zero targets. A 9-strong National Partnership Board has now been appointed to direct and engage in the work of GSAP by representing members’ interests at a national level in government, industry forums and public discussions; commissioning researching and publishing reports which inform members and stakeholders; promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of the green skills sector; enhancing the role of employers in designing the new curriculum; and informing and influencing industry training standards and best practice. Former Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon has been elected as Honorary Chair of the GSAP Board with Mike Blakeley of Exeter College as Chair and Graham Hasting-Evans of NOCN Group and BACH, Nick Miles of EWI Pro, Charlene Wall of The Wood Manor Group, Paul Brown of SWIFIX Ltd, Giles