The UK government has announced a national green energy plan aimed at creating 400,000 new jobs over the next five years. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the scheme will target training for plumbers, electricians, welders, carpenters, and other essential trades to meet the growing demand in the clean energy sector. Miliband emphasized that the plan will help those transitioning from fossil fuel jobs, school leavers, veterans, ex-offenders, and the unemployed. Companies receiving public grants and contracts will be required to create high-quality jobs, while promoting trade union recognition and collective bargaining, including in offshore roles. Unions welcomed the announcement, with leaders from Unite and GMB praising the focus on job creation in clean energy. Thirty-one professions have been designated as priorities for recruitment and training. Plumbers, heating and ventilation installers are expected to see the highest demand, with 8,000 to 10,000 additional workers needed by 2030. Carpenters, electricians, and welders follow closely, each requiring between 4,000 and 8,500 new recruits. Miliband described the plan as a roadmap for future employment opportunities, saying it provides clarity for jobseekers and local authorities about where to direct education and training efforts. The plan also signals to industry where skilled workers will be needed to support the transition to clean energy. The energy secretary highlighted the potential economic benefits of the plan, noting that jobs in wind, nuclear, and electricity networks often offer salaries above £50,000, compared with the UK average of £37,000. These roles are spread across coastal and post-industrial communities, creating opportunities in areas that need economic revitalization. The plan includes the establishment of five new technical excellence colleges to train young people in key roles, alongside skills pilots in Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire. These projects will receive £2.5 million to support new training centres, courses, and career advisers. Special initiatives will match veterans with careers in solar panel installation, wind turbine factories, and nuclear power stations. Tailored programs for ex-offenders, school leavers, and the unemployed are also included. Research by the government suggests that around 13,700 people currently out of work already possess many of the skills required for green energy roles, including engineering and skilled trades. Existing oil and gas workers will be upskilled through targeted programs, supported by up to £20 million from the UK and Scottish governments. This funding will provide bespoke training to help workers move into clean energy roles. Union leaders praised the plan for its focus on secure, well-paid work. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said the commitment to 400,000 green jobs, backed by strong collective bargaining rights, is a vital step in ensuring the green transition is fair and sustainable. Charlotte Brumpton-Childs of GMB emphasized that a jobs-first approach to the green economy is exactly what the UK needs, highlighting the importance of linking industrial strategy with tangible employment opportunities. The government’s green energy plan represents a major effort to expand the workforce in renewable energy, clean technology, and sustainable infrastructure, while supporting workers and communities through the transition to a net-zero economy.