Many thanks to everyone who joined us for SERA's second event at Labour Connected: "Build it now: a jobs-led green future for young people" and to our fantastic panel which included Liam Byrne, Shadow Mayor of the West Midlands, Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, Melanie Onn, Deputy Chief Executive of Renewable UK and former MP for Great Grimsby and Paul Nowak, Deupty General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress.

Through COVID-19 impacts, we face the biggest economic downturn in two centuries and with a resulting jobs crisis looming. Alongside the climate and environmental crisis remains pressing. Young people today face an economic crisis to a scale not seen in living memory and risk living through the consequences of catastrophic climate change. So, we need to build, back better, build a green recovery now. A green recovery gives the opportunity for a job-led recovery and a pathway for young people - across a wide range of jobs and careers in the green economy we need. 

How do take forward the bold programme needed - address the STEM skills shortage, improve diversity across the infrastructure sector, create the jobs pathways, and enable schools, universities, FE colleges, business schools and industry to train for a net zero world. What should we urge the Government to do? How can Labour challenge the Government’s failure to invest in green skills? What should industry do? How can unions mobilise action? What can metro-mayors do? How can we build on our strengths such as the world beating renewable sector and in particular our wind resources to drive an energy transition? How can we build the green workforce of the future and power Britain to net zero?

If you were unable to take part in this event, you can watch the recording below and listen to our speakers addressing these questions.

Thank you to the Offshore Wind Industry Council for supporting this event.