The UK Government today unveiled an ambitious plan to support workers transitioning into the clean energy sector, paving the way for thousands of new jobs as part of its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire have been identified as key growth regions for clean energy, thanks to thriving offshore wind, nuclear, and solar industries.
Empowering Local Communities with Targeted Funding
Local partners in these regions will receive funding to identify and address specific skills needs, including establishing training centres and courses to meet the clean power sector’s demands by 2030. Each region will initially be allocated £1 million, empowering local authorities and devolved partners to tailor strategies for upskilling their workforce.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Our Plan for Change to deliver clean power is not just about protecting households and businesses from the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets; it is also about reindustrialising Britain with thousands of well-paid, good union jobs in industrial communities. Unlike the failed approach of previous governments, we won’t sit back and let good jobs go overseas instead of coming to our shores.”
Launch of the Energy Skills Passport
As part of this initiative, the UK Government, in collaboration with industry and the Scottish Government, has launched an “Energy Skills Passport”. This innovative tool, developed by RenewableUK and Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), aims to help oil and gas workers seamlessly transition into clean energy roles, particularly in offshore wind.
Workers can create an account to access four career pathways currently available, allowing them to identify roles aligned with their existing qualifications. The tool will be expanded over the coming year to include additional pathways, further broadening opportunities within the renewable energy sector.
Jane Cooper, Executive Director of Offshore Wind at RenewableUK, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “More than a hundred thousand people will be working in the UK’s offshore wind industry by 2030, mostly in highly skilled roles. To grow our world-class industry as fast as possible, we need the valuable experience that oil and gas workers can bring. The Energy Skills Passport offers a gateway for people to make this transition, helping them identify offshore wind roles that suit them best and setting out the training required to secure these opportunities.”
Supporting the Transition to Clean Energy
Research from Offshore Energies UK reveals that 90% of oil and gas workers already possess skills relevant to the clean energy transition. The government’s initiatives aim to leverage this expertise while ensuring a just and equitable shift towards renewable energy.
Key growth areas like Cheshire West and Chester, North and Northeast Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire will benefit from additional measures to establish targeted skills programmes. The groundwork laid in Aberdeen serves as a model for other regions to follow.
Join Powersystems in Driving Renewable Energy Growth
As the clean energy sector expands, Powersystems is leading the way in renewable energy innovation and development. We offer dynamic career opportunities for those passionate about contributing to a greener future. Our roles span electrical design engineering, electrical project engineering in project development, operational roles in construction, and vital support functions in finance, procurement, and commercial management. These positions are key to advancing renewables, including wind energy, solar power, and battery projects, and ensuring clean energy delivery across the UK.
Visit Powersystems Careers and Vacancies to explore our current openings and embark on a fulfilling career in renewable energy today.
A Cleaner, Greener Future
The government’s plan is a significant step towards achieving a sustainable energy future while supporting workers and communities during the transition. By combining innovative tools like the Energy Skills Passport with targeted funding and local partnerships, the UK is demonstrating its commitment to becoming a global leader in clean energy innovation and job creation.
Notes to Editors:
Contact Information:
- This article is written by Jules Daly, Marketing and Communications Manager at Powersystems.
- Email jules.daly@powersystemsuk.com Telephone 01454 318000
- Photography Copyright please credit all images used to powersystemsuk.co.uk
Powersystems are powering the transition to a carbon free future
Powersystems is a leading high voltage specialist electrical engineering company with over 48 years of experience. Renowned for its expertise and reliability, Powersystems has become a trusted provider of design, installation, and commissioning services for electrical infrastructure and grid connections across the UK.
As the first Lloyds National Electricity Registration Scheme accredited Independent Connection Provider (ICP), Powersystems has been delivering contestable grid connections at voltages up to 132 kV for 28 years.
Since 2000, Powersystems has successfully connected over 6.1 gigawatts of renewable energy to the UK electricity grid. Our projects span many sectors from onshore and offshore wind, solar energy, tidal and hydroelectric power, electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as generation installations for short-term operating reserves (STOR), combined heat and power (CHP), grid stability initiatives such as rotating stabilisers, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and commercial industrial private wire networks.
In collaboration with partners, Powersystems has connected 30% of all onshore wind farms in the UK, contributing significantly to the nation’s renewable energy capacity to collectively work towards a sustainable future to help the UK achieve Net Zero by 2050.
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our integrated management systems, which are ISO accredited, and our rigorous approach to health and safety under the ‘Priority No.1’ brand, ensuring best practices across the industry.
Powersystems UK Ltd. is an employee-owned business that values the well-being of its employees, fostering an environment where innovation is encouraged, and everyone is empowered to share ideas and contribute to the company’s success.
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