What Is The North Green Skills Conference 2025 And Why Is It Happening In Hull?

Ever wondered what the jobs of the future will look like? There’s a good chance they’ll be ‘green’. As the whole world gets serious about tackling climate change, a massive shift is happening in our economy. And right at the centre of this conversation for the North of England is a big event coming to Hull. On Wednesday 24 September, the historic Hull Guildhall is set to be buzzing with ideas as it hosts the North Green Skills Conference 2025. It’s a get-together for some of the sharpest minds to figure out how the region can lead the way in building a cleaner, greener future. Hull City Council is stepping up as the host partner, showing that the city is ready to play a key part in this national mission.

So, what’s the big idea?

Think of the North Green Skills Conference 2025 as a massive brainstorming session for the entire North. The theme is ‘Skills North: Shaping Tomorrow’, and it’s all about getting the right people in one room to talk about the real challenges ahead. It’s not just a talking shop, though. The goal is to come up with a solid approach to make sure the North has the skills it needs for the green jobs that are coming. This isn't its first rodeo. The event has been a big success in previous years in Manchester and Newcastle, and now it's Hull's turn to host. Imagine a room filled with:

• Business leaders who are creating the new green jobs.
• Top academics who are researching the next big breakthroughs.
• Politicians who can create policies to support the green economy.
• The media, there to share the important stories with the whole nation.

These delegates are coming together to discuss the challenges facing the region and the best ways to move forward. The whole point is to ensure the North isn't just reacting to climate change, but is actively shaping the future of the country's economy.

Why Hull of all places?

It actually makes perfect sense for this event to land in Hull. The city and the wider Humber region are already making waves in the green energy sector. With huge wind farms off the coast and companies setting up shop here, Hull is becoming a real hub for the new green economy. Hull City Council becoming the host partner and a sponsor for this event shows just how serious the city is about its role. They aren't doing it alone, either. Future Humber is a lead partner, highlighting the importance of regional teamwork. The council is also putting its money where its mouth is by sponsoring the conference through its Skills Bootcamps programme. The conference itself will be held in the magnificent Hull Guildhall, adding a bit of historic grandeur to a very forward-looking conversation. This city is a perfect example of how an area can build resilience and adapt its economy to meet modern climate concerns. The approach taken here could be a blueprint for other parts of the nation.

Getting the right skills for green jobs

What exactly are ‘green skills’? It’s not about being a champion gardener. It’s about having the practical know-how for jobs that help the planet. This could be anything from an engineer who designs wind turbines to a construction worker who knows how to make buildings super energy-efficient. As our nation moves towards its carbon neutral and net zero goals, millions of these jobs will be created. The big question is: who is going to do them? This is where the conversation gets really interesting. One of the key panel discussions at the conference is called ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Workforce’. It features Adam Wilson from Hull Training and Adult Education, who works on the council’s hugely successful Skills Bootcamps. These are short, focused training courses designed to give people the exact skills that companies are looking for in the green sector. It’s a practical solution to a massive challenge, helping people switch careers or get their first foot on the ladder of the new green economy. This is a crucial part of the plan for tackling climate change.

Facing the challenges head-on

Let’s be honest, switching to a green economy isn't easy. It comes with plenty of challenges. How do you retrain an entire workforce? How do you make sure new green technologies are affordable? These are the tough questions the delegates at the conference will be getting stuck into. Martin Budd, the council's climate change manager, will be part of a morning discussion on ‘The Future of Green Skills in the North’, diving right into these issues. The event is designed to foster a real debate. The organisers want business leaders, academics and politicians to share ideas and figure out how to work together. Building this kind of resilience and planning for the future is vital. It’s about creating an economy that’s not just good for the planet, but also provides stable, well-paying jobs for people across the North. This conference is a key part of the national approach to addressing climate concerns and securing a prosperous future.

A word from the city’s leader

The leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross, shared his thoughts on the city hosting the important event. It’s clear there’s a lot of pride in Hull’s growing reputation as a green pioneer. He said:

“The council is delighted to be the host partner and sponsor for the North Green Skills Conference 2025. As a council, we are acutely aware of the threat of climate change and the need to build resilience, therefore this is a fantastic opportunity to bring people together to discuss how we are collectively going to tackle it. We already have many strategies in place at the council, including our carbon neutral and net zero goals, but it is pleasing that we will also be able to showcase how we can train people for the jobs of tomorrow through our hugely successful Skills Bootcamps programme. Hull and the region is playing a leading role in the nation’s approach to addressing climate concerns, so it is fitting to have an event like this in the city. We look forward to welcoming delegates to the Guildhall next month.”