More than 10,000 jobs in Wigan would be created or become in higher demand in a shift to a green economy

More than 10,000 jobs in Wigan would be created or become in higher demand in a shift to a green economy, new analysis suggests.

But thousands of other roles would be at risk, with workers needing new skills and training.

The study – published by council leaders’ group UK100 – is calling for a “Green New Deal” to drive the recovery from the Covid-19 crisis while creating a zero-carbon society by 2050.

An estimated 12,296 jobs would be generated or would be readily adaptable to more sustainable industries in Wigan, according to the analysis. Such jobs would come to make up 12 per cent of the local landscape in a green revolution.

The findings – based on figures from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment – also suggest how people in various sectors might have to retrain. This could include a car mechanic learning to repair electric vehicles, roofers becoming solar panel installers, or oil and gas technicians transferring to offshore wind farms.

In Wigan, 11,713 such roles would be affected – fewer than the number that would be created or would see a boost, meaning the area would see a positive impact overall.

Across the UK around one in 10 jobs will require retraining, while nearly the same number could be created or would become desirable to employers based on existing skills.

Polly Billington, director of UK100, said: “We need to ensure this is not a car or carbon-led recovery. There is a huge opportunity here to skill up our workforce and invest in the jobs we need right now. A New Deal for Green Skills and Growth will kick start the recovery, ensure we are internationally competitive and put us on a path to a cleaner, greener economy, so we can meet the net-zero target.”

The research suggests the most at-risk sectors in terms of jobs that will require retraining in Wigan are: construction (2,368); manufacturing (1,967); transport and storage, including postal (1,452). But there was some overlap in the areas flagged as standing to benefit the most in terms of high demand and new roles: manufacturing (3,772); construction (2,408); business administration and support services (1,190).