UK Job Market Reality Check: Total Vacancies Crash While Green Jobs Boom
The UK employment landscape is telling two very different stories in 2025. While traditional job vacancies have plummeted to their lowest levels since 2021, the green economy continues its remarkable upward trajectory—backed by ambitious government commitments that could reshape Britain's workforce by 2030.
LinkedIn post:
The Tale of Two Markets
Total UK job vacancies have crashed dramatically. ONS data shows vacancies fell 5.8% to just 718,000 in May-July 2025—down a staggering 45% from the peak of 1.3 million recorded in May 2022^[1]. This represents the most significant decline since the pandemic low of 328,000 in June 2020^[2].
But green jobs are defying this downturn entirely. The latest ONS "Estimates of green jobs, UK: July 2025" publication reveals that green employment reached 690,900 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions in 2023—a solid 34.6% increase from 513,300 FTE jobs in 2015^[3].
The Numbers That Matter
Total UK Vacancies: A Rollercoaster Ride
2020 pandemic low: 328,000 (June 2020)^[2]
2022 peak: 1.3 million (May 2022)^[4]
Current level: 718,000 (July 2025)^[1]
Net change: -45% from peak
Green Jobs: Steady Growth
2015 baseline: 513,300 FTE positions^[3]
2023 latest data: 690,900 FTE positions^[3]
Growth rate: +34.6% over 8 years^[3]
Key sectors: Waste management (158,400 jobs), Energy efficient products (145,800), Renewable energy (71,100)^[3]
Government Ambition: 2030 Green Jobs Target
The UK Government maintains its commitment to 2 million green jobs by 2030^[5]—representing a 190% increase from the current 691,000 positions. This cross-party target was first established in 2020 and continues under the current Labour government.
2030 Growth Requirements:
Current (2023): 691,000 green jobs^[3]
Target (2030): 2,000,000 green jobs^[5]
Required growth: 1.3 million additional positions
Timeline: 7 years (2023-2030)
Current Labour Government Green Jobs Strategy (2024-2025)
Ed Miliband has outlined Labour's comprehensive approach to green job creation through several key initiatives^[6]:
Core Labour Green Policies:
Clean Power by 2030^[6]
Zero-carbon electricity through renewable expansion
Quadruple offshore wind capacity
Double onshore wind capacity
Triple solar power capacity
Great British Energy^[7]
New publicly-owned energy company
Focus on driving green investment and job creation
Headquarters to be established outside London
National Wealth Fund^[7]
Dedicated green investment vehicle
Supporting domestic manufacturing and supply chains
Focus on creating good-quality, unionized green jobs
Warm Homes Plan^[6]
Retrofitting up to 5 million homes
Installation of heat pumps, solar panels, and insulation
£1.8 billion allocated to local authorities and social housing providers
Industrial Strategy Focus
Labour's approach emphasizes that "industrial policy is back" with specific focus on^[8]:
Carbon capture and storage job creation
Manufacturing electrolysers for hydrogen production
Nuclear power station construction roles
Floating wind manufacturing positions
North Sea worker transition to renewable energy roles
Regional Projections
The Local Government Association projects that England could see 694,000 direct jobs in low-carbon and renewable energy by 2030, potentially reaching 1.18 million by 2050^[9].
Regional Growth Hotspots:^[9]
North East England (offshore wind, industrial decarbonization)
Yorkshire and the Humber (renewable manufacturing)
Devon and Cornwall (marine renewables)
Scotland (offshore wind, green hydrogen)
Current Green Job Sectors (2023 ONS Data)
Top Employment Areas:^[3]
Waste management: 158,400 FTE jobs (22.9% of total)
Energy efficient products: 145,800 FTE jobs (21.1% of total)
Renewable energy: 71,100 FTE jobs (10.3% of total)
Fastest Growing Sectors (2015-2023):^[3]
Renewable energy: +153.9% growth (+43,100 FTE)
Low carbon transport: +181.0% growth (+24,800 FTE)
Waste management: +56.7% growth (+57,300 FTE)
Skills in Highest Demand
Based on current government priorities and market analysis:
Technical Roles:
Renewable energy engineers (offshore wind expansion)
Environmental engineers (carbon capture projects)
Heat pump installers (Warm Homes Plan)
Energy efficiency specialists (building retrofits)
Green hydrogen technicians (emerging sector)
Professional Services:
ESG analysts and consultants (corporate sustainability)
Green project managers (infrastructure delivery)
Environmental compliance specialists (regulatory requirements)
Carbon accounting experts (net zero reporting)
Manufacturing & Construction:
Wind turbine technicians (offshore expansion)
Solar panel installers (solar capacity tripling)
Retrofit coordinators (home energy efficiency)
Electric vehicle infrastructure specialists
The Investment Challenge
The Construction Industry Training Board estimates significant workforce expansion needs^[10]:
Building retrofits: 12,000 workers trained annually (current period)
Scaling phase: Up to 30,000 additional workers annually (2025-2030)
Total workforce target: 230,000 by 2030
Challenges and Opportunities
Key Challenges:
Skills Gaps: Many green roles require specialized training not yet provided at scale
Geographic Mismatch: Green opportunities may not align with highest unemployment areas
Transition Support: Workers from high-carbon industries need retraining pathways
Infrastructure Needs: Grid upgrades essential for renewable expansion
Policy Solutions:
Training Investment: Labour's focus on apprenticeships and skills bootcamps
Just Transition: Support for North Sea oil and gas workers moving to renewables
Regional Development: Targeting green investment in former industrial areas
Union Partnership: Ensuring green jobs are well-paid and organised
International Context
The UK's green jobs ambition sits within a global transition. The International Labour Organization estimates that implementing the Paris Agreement could create 24 million new jobs globally by 2030^[11]. The UK's target of 2 million represents a significant national contribution to this global shift.
What This Means for Different Groups
For Job Seekers:
Transferable skills: Many existing skills (project management, engineering, construction) apply to green sectors
Training opportunities: Government-backed programs emerging for green skills
Growth sectors: Focus on renewable energy, building efficiency, and green transport
For Employers:
Talent competition: Green skills increasingly valuable across all sectors
Training investment: Essential for accessing skilled green workforce
Supply chain opportunities: Domestic manufacturing focus creates local opportunities
For Regions:
Strategic planning: Align local economic development with green opportunities
Skills infrastructure: Develop training capacity for anticipated growth
Community benefits: Ensure local communities benefit from green investment
The Bottom Line
The contrast between traditional job markets and green employment couldn't be starker. While total UK job vacancies have crashed 45% from their 2022 peak, falling to just 718,000 in July 2025, green jobs have demonstrated consistent resilience and growth.
The sector has expanded 34.6% since 2015, reaching nearly 700,000 positions in 2023, with the current Labour government now backing the most ambitious green jobs expansion in UK history. The commitment to 2 million green jobs by 2030 represents not just environmental policy, but a fundamental economic strategy for Britain's future.
For those entering the job market or considering career transitions, the data suggests that sustainability-focused roles offer both stability in uncertain times and growth potential in a rapidly expanding sector. The future of work is increasingly green, and that future is arriving faster than many anticipated.
References & Sources
^[1] ONS Vacancies and jobs in the UK: August 2025
^[2] Statista UK Job Vacancies 2024
^[3] ONS Estimates of green jobs, UK: July 2025
^[4] ONS Jobs and vacancies June 2022
^[5] UK Government Green Jobs Taskforce Launch
^[6] Ed Miliband Sets Out DESNZ Priorities
^[7] Carbon Brief: Labour Government Climate Policy
^[8] Ed Miliband Labour Conference Speech 2024
^[9] Local Government Association Local Green Jobs Report
^[10] Green Jobs Taskforce Report
^[11] ILO World Employment and Social Outlook 2023
All statistics cited are from official UK government sources and verified as of August 2025. This analysis reflects current Labour government policy as outlined by Secretary of State Ed Miliband and DESNZ.