03/12/2010 07:11 AM
The construction industry needs to make efforts to equip its workers with new skills if it wants to meet the low-carbon targets set by the government, the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (Ucatt) has said.
Recently, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills published a report from the Innovation and Growth Team (IGT) saying that the construction industry must work to meet the largest "change management programme since Victorian times" if it is to meet carbon targets.
The IGT, made up of figures from the construction sector, was asked by the government to draw up a list of recommendations for the industry to rise to the carbon agenda.
Four clear themes come out of the report: potential market size, the role of small-to-medium enterprises, demand stimulation, and wider green economy benefits.
According to Ucatt, the key to meeting the "massive challenge" of CO2 reduction lies in giving workers at all levels the new skills they need.
Discussing the "long-term" nature of the industry's failure to train properly, a spokesperson for Ucatt said the sector's short-term outlook is hampering it and needs addressing quickly.
"For the health of the industry and in order to ensure that we have got a competitive, forward looking industry, these challenges have to be met," the spokesperson said.
The government wants the UK to cut CO2 emissions by 34 per cent of the 1990 levels by 2020.
Recently, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills published a report from the Innovation and Growth Team (IGT) saying that the construction industry must work to meet the largest "change management programme since Victorian times" if it is to meet carbon targets.
The IGT, made up of figures from the construction sector, was asked by the government to draw up a list of recommendations for the industry to rise to the carbon agenda.
Four clear themes come out of the report: potential market size, the role of small-to-medium enterprises, demand stimulation, and wider green economy benefits.
According to Ucatt, the key to meeting the "massive challenge" of CO2 reduction lies in giving workers at all levels the new skills they need.
Discussing the "long-term" nature of the industry's failure to train properly, a spokesperson for Ucatt said the sector's short-term outlook is hampering it and needs addressing quickly.
"For the health of the industry and in order to ensure that we have got a competitive, forward looking industry, these challenges have to be met," the spokesperson said.
The government wants the UK to cut CO2 emissions by 34 per cent of the 1990 levels by 2020.
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