How JLR is Bridging the Green Skills Gap to Power Sustainable Careers in the UK

The Green Skills Gap: A Critical Challenge for Sustainable Careers

According to The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, green skills are defined as "the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to reduce the environmental impact of human activity." Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) identifies the lack of these skills as one of the most pressing challenges in the global transition to sustainability.

To address this, JLR is investing in education, outreach, and workforce development to equip future generations for a net zero future.

JLR Reimagine - Our roadmap

The Evolving Vehicle Economy

In today's vehicle manufacturing, companies increasingly consider electrification, clean energy, and the circular economy. As these elements become more frequent, education must adapt to provide relevant and up-to-date information.

Akash Kaura, Staff Data Scientist at LinkedIn, notes in his paper 'Understanding the Green Transition' that global demand for green talent has grown by an average of 5.9% between 2021 and 2024. His data highlights:

• Highest demand countries: United Kingdom (13%), Ireland (12.4%), Saudi Arabia (11.7%), Norway (11.6%), Switzerland (11.5%).
• Highest growth rates (2023-2024): Portugal (+71.3%), United Kingdom (+46%), Costa Rica (+40%), Singapore (+27.1%), Luxembourg (+27%).

If unaddressed, the green skills gap is projected to exceed 50% by 2050. To prevent this, JLR is implementing strategies across schools, universities, and its workforce to create career pathways and "broaden the talent pool."

Andrea Debbane, Chief Sustainability Officer at JLR, states: "Sustainability starts with education and we’re proud to be investing in programmes that empower young people, inspire future changemakers and help build a talent pipeline that supports our transition to net zero."

From Early Years to Higher Education

JLR collaborates with education providers to adapt curriculums to the rapidly changing landscape through real-world insights. For example, JLR supported the development of a new Level 3 Certificate in Sustainability for post-16 students, created in partnership with Cambridge OCR. This qualification complements A Levels and can be taken by those already employed to support career development.

Christine Özden, Global Director, Climate Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, says: "The new Cambridge OCR Level 3 Certificate in Sustainability gives students the chance to build knowledge and understanding and develop practical, future‑focused skills grounded in real‑world application."

Through the Create Possible platform, JLR offers a free curriculum-linked education programme for secondary schools, with one in five challenges focused on sustainability to encourage climate-conscious thinking. JLR also works with universities to integrate real-world sustainability challenges into courses, such as MBA students at the University of Exeter developing circular economy proposals.

Building Sustainable Careers

JLR inspires the next generation by strengthening links between education, sustainability, and manufacturing innovation. Its school outreach scheme involves over 1,000 STEM and Campus Ambassadors who share their career journeys, reaching more than 130,000 students in the 2024–2025 academic year.

For students aged 14–18, JLR provides a Virtual Work Experience programme, an 8.5-hour course covering circularity and green skills in manufacturing scenarios. Nearly 9,000 students have completed this programme in the last two years.

JLR's early careers programme includes apprenticeships and graduate schemes with sustainability-focused learning, such as Supply Chain and Logistics degree apprentices exploring circular supply chains. The Future Skills programme supports upskilling for employees transitioning to electrification and sustainable mobility.

Closing the green skills gap is essential for achieving climate targets, accelerating innovation, and ensuring long-term economic resilience.