5 green skills needed in construction

Developing greener buildings – as per point 7 of the government’s Ten Point Plan – could support around 50,000 jobs by 2030. Now is the time to find your opportunity in green construction, but what skills will improve your employability?

Green skills can be tricky to define and broad in nature, but there’s undeniably a sizeable market for them. According to LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report 2022, the average UK job uses roughly two to three more green skills than the average job globally. Knowing which of these skills employers value the most – along with those that will allow you to make the greatest impact possible – is essential for your long-term career planning. Read on for the top green construction skills you should be aware of:
 

1. Green retrofitting

Sustainable development is central to green construction and covers all areas of the industry. The need for green skills isn’t just for new build developments, there is a heightened urgency for green retrofitting. For example, thousands of homes across the UK need heat pumps installed, and with the extension of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2028, there are great opportunities for those with green retrofitting and installation know-how.
 

2. Low-carbon building materials

There’s currently a largescale push to reduce embodied carbon in construction, so an understanding of environmentally friendly materials will set strong foundations for your green career. In particular, experience with innovations such as low-carbon concrete will help future-proof your position in the industry. While some green materials may still be emerging, they could become a construction mainstay in the years to come, with one industry leader recently switching to low-carbon concrete for all its UK construction projects. It never hurts to be ahead of the curve.
 

3. Energy modelling and analysis

Following the government’s aim for a green building revolution, both domestic and commercial buildings are required to meet increasingly rigorous energy efficiency standards. Knowing how to optimise energy in the built environment is an extremely valuable skill, usually requiring software tools to simulate and evaluate the energy performance of a building’s design. This allows professionals to identify potential energy-saving opportunities, helping to engender a green transformation.
 

4. Waste management

It’s well known that the construction industry is responsible for a highly significant level of the UK’s total waste. In light of mounting climate concerns and increasing material prices, more sustainable practices are needed. The good news is that the industry and technology available are all heading in the right direction and huge efforts are being made. As construction firms move away from linear models and over to a circular economy, professionals who can evaluate the environmental impact of materials throughout their entire lifestyle, from production to disposal, will be of great value.
 

5. Green certification

No matter your green construction role – or whether you’re based in the office or on-site – a knowledge of recognised industry frameworks could be crucial for your career advancement. Trusted benchmarks include BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which are commonly used to assess the sustainability of buildings across the world. Although not unique to the built environment, familiarity with ISO 14001 – itself a top green skill identified in LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report 2022 – will aid you in almost any role with environmental responsibilities.

While these skills will certainly give you a competitive advantage when applying for jobs in the industry, they shouldn’t be seen as a necessity. Many green roles don’t have set career paths – and with 95% of construction and property employers facing skills shortages last year, according to data from our latest Salary and Recruiting Trends guide – many organisations will value a learning mentality and willingness to get behind sustainable innovation.

If you’re looking to level up your green construction skills, enhance your career and work on exciting sustainable projects, get in touch with your nearest specialist consultant today.