Tradespople including plumbers and electricians are set to learn the green skills needed to support the growth of the UK’s low‑carbon economy thanks to a new £1m (US$1.3m) apprenticeship levy fund from Royal Mail.
Businesses can use the funding to finance a range of UK government-approved green skills apprenticeships, helping build capabilities in areas including low-carbon heating, electrical vehicle infrastructure, energy efficient construction and sustainable supply chains.
Opportunities range from tradespeople training to fit solar panels or heat pumps or to install electric van charging infrastructure, to professionals taking on degree apprenticeships such as environmental practitioner or sustainability business specialist.
According to Royal Mail, the initiative will help close the growing gap between the roles needed to support the UK’s transition and the availability of people with the skills needed to fill them.
Miles Durrant, Royal Mail’s head of climate strategy, commented, “As low‑carbon technologies become established, the challenge is no longer just innovation but deployment. Advances in areas such as electrification and sustainable construction must be matched by a workforce capable of deploying them at scale and driving down costs. This fund is about helping to build that capability across the economy.”
How to apply
The fund is now open for applications to businesses and organizations in England and Wales. To apply, visit the Royal Mail website.
The fund is financed through the apprenticeship levy applied to businesses with a wage bill of £3m (US$3.9m) or more. As an employer of 130,000 people, Royal Mail is one of the biggest levy-paying businesses in the UK. Royal Mail also has a separate £1m (US$1.3m) apprenticeship levy fund to support its small and medium businesses with up to 250 employees.
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