WELSH unions agreed today to campaign for paid-release schemes that allow workers in carbon-intensive sectors to train for jobs in the green energy or other sectors.

The GMB union’s Chris Marsh said: “A just transition is a jobs transition.

“Across Wales our members in energy, steel, cement and manufacturing have powered our economy for generations. They are skilled, experienced, and proud of the work they do — but they are also being asked to navigate one of the biggest industrial transformations of our time, with no guarantees as to what comes next.”

The union’s motion called for sectoral just transition plans to be drawn up by unions, employers and authorities to “identify future skills needs and ensure accessible routes into green jobs,” and for a Welsh Green Skills fund to finance paid release for workers to retrain.

It also demanded that unions get commitments from the Welsh and British governments that public procurement be used to reward firms that deliver training and jobs within Wales.