Greener Jobs Project
Progress Report
Introduction
The project began in January, 2011. It consists of 5 national partners:
~ University and College Union  ~  Greenpeace  ~ Friends of the Earth
Trades Union Congress   ~ Institute of Public Policy Research
It is a 2 year project funded by the trading arm of Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Union Council.  Project aims, outcomes and delivery were discussed at a meeting held at UCU Head Office with partners on January 13th, 2011. These are summarised below along with the progress made so far in achieving them.
Project  Aims
Numerous reports have referred to the low carbon skills deficit in the UK. This problem cannot be tackled in isolation from the need to generate the demand from businesses and households for low carbon training and jobs. The project aims to join up activity at community and national level to promote:
•	Alliances with local authorities, trade unions, employers, housing associations, and campaign groups to generate demand for low carbon jobs and training
•	Influence national policy on low carbon training and jobs. This will involve intervention at the level of Sector Skills Councils, Further and Higher Education Sector bodies; Examination and Awarding bodies, relevant Government departments
Project Outcomes
•	Much of the initial demand will come from the need to up-skill existing workers. The project will identify and support the delivery of a range of short course programmes in the FHE sector.
•	Generating demand for new jobs and apprenticeships
Initial targets have been set on the number of jobs, apprenticeships and individuals trained. These will be reviewed in the autumn taking into account developments on local and national policy drivers.
Project delivery
In order to deliver the outcomes the project will need to establish priorities that match its capacity. 
•	Area - The initial focus will be in SW London with a view to establishing a model that can be taken up in other regions.
•	Sectors – Construction and Building Technologies are sectors that offer a huge potential for delivering a training-to-work ‘pipeline’.
Project  Progress
Local networks - Less than one month into the project there have been some encouraging developments. The 2 initial boroughs in London that have been chosen for development work are Merton and Wandsworth.
The project worker is working with South Thames College Construction School, Business Development Unit and Apprenticeship Officer to develop accredited modules to cover retrofitting solid wall insulation, renewable energy generation, and measures to recycle and reduce water demand. These courses will be delivered in the 2 boroughs from the summer of 2011.
Merton - Liaison with Merton Council and Sustainable Merton to support a Low Carbon event on March 22nd, 2011. This will engage with employers, trade unions, housing associations and community groups to promote training and the demand for low carbon skills and jobs
Wandsworth – Liaison with Wandsworth Council and Wandsworth Environment Forum to support a Low Carbon event on May 12th, 2011. This will have the same target audience as above.
National networks – The project worker has met with:
 Summit Sector Skills – Follow up meeting on 10/2 to link South Thames College with the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies Hub
City and Guilds – Agreed to hold a joint event in June (Date tbc) with AoC and LSIS to promote greening the curriculum
TUC - The project will be featured in the SE Region TUC ‘Skill Up Green Up’ Conference on March 12th, 2011.
Adult and Learning Sector - The trade union role has been recognised in the new framework document.- follow up meeting on March 16th. 
Dept. of BIS – Meeting with BIS Officer on Feb. 22nd.
Official Launch – Local and national partners will be invited to a launch event in March (date to be confirmed).
Graham Petersen: Greener Jobs Project Worker
2/2/11