LABOUR has slammed the Scottish government’s “sham” Green Jobs Workforce Academy as a sign-posting website hosting job adverts. 

The government’s newly launched academy was announced in last year’s Budget and again as a key election policy earlier this year. 

In the Budget, the SNP said that this would “ensure our workforce has the right skills to meet the requirements of a just transition by supporting existing employees.”

Ministers said that those facing redundancy could assess their existing skills and undertake the necessary upskilling and reskilling that they need to secure green job opportunities as they emerge.

Having been unveiled, the website currently consists of just job adverts and information about various training courses. 

 Scottish Labour’s Monica Lennon has written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon questioning what funding will be provided to improve the service, describing the academy as another example of reality not matching up to government rhetoric. 

Ms Lennon, the party’s spokeswoman for the net zero, energy and transport committee, said: “After much anticipation, it seems that the Green Jobs Workforce Academy amounts to little more than a new website. 

“Reality rarely matches rhetoric under the SNP, but even by their standards this sham is gobsmacking.”

Ms Lennon has now called for significant investment to protect workers during a just transition. 

She said: “We are entering a crucially important moment in our economic transformation. We need innovative training opportunities and ambitious plans to make sure that no-one is left behind as we move towards net zero. 

“Gesture politics won’t cut it when workers are calling out for certainty. 

“Livelihoods are on the line. Workers don’t need hyperlinks – they need real investment in their futures.”

A Scottish government spokesman said that the academy will be key to preparing the workforce and guide those who need them to the skills needed to gain green jobs.