Griff Thomas, executive director of energy transition and external affairs at United Infrastructure and managing director at GTEC Training looks at the importance of a skilled workforce.
In the quest to decarbonise our energy systems and meet ambitious climate targets, one critical piece of the puzzle often lacks the attention it deserves: people. While we often see technology like wind turbines, solar arrays, or heat pumps make the headlines, our ability to deploy, operate, and maintain these solutions depends on a workforce that is skilled, motivated, and ready to build a greener future.
It’s clear to see that the renewables revolution won’t happen without a dedicated pipeline of talent. The challenge is not just to train technicians who can install a heat pump or commission a solar inverter. It’s to transform perceptions of renewable careers, embed early engagement with young people, and create clear, vocational pathways that connect school leavers to skilled roles, and ultimately to long-term careers in clean energy.
Why workforce development matters
The growth of renewable energy and low-carbon technologies in the UK is quick but necessary. Government targets, corporate net-zero commitments, and rising consumer demand are driving unprecedented investment in solar, wind, battery storage, heat pumps, and energy-efficient technologies. But there is a growing skills gap, with employers struggling to find competent technicians, training providers racing to expand capacity, and many young people simply unaware that these opportunities exist.
The mismatch offers a risky opportunity. If we fail to develop the next generation of installers, engineers, and system designers, project timelines will slip, costs will rise, and decarbonisation efforts will slow. On the other hand, by building a sustainable talent pipeline from school leavers to skilled professionals, we can fuel economic growth, reduce unemployment, and ensure the UK is equipped to lead the global energy transition.
Early engagement and awareness
The first stage in building a talent pipeline is awareness. Careers in renewable energy are often overlooked in schools because they are perceived as technical, niche, or difficult to access. Yet the reality is that renewable careers are diverse, rewarding, and increasingly central to our national economic strategy.
Early engagement with students (ideally those in secondary school) must become the cornerstone of workforce development. This could take the form of partnerships between industry and education that go beyond occasional career fairs or guest lectures. A more effective and immersive strategy is hands-on experiences, workplace visits, and projects that allow young people to see renewable technologies in action.
Imagine a year 10 student watching a heat pump being installed, or a group of GCSE pupils building a small solar array as part of a project. These interactions demystify technology, spark curiosity, and help students see a tangible career path that aligns with their interests. This is not idealistic. Evidence shows that early exposure to careers significantly increases the likelihood that young people will pursue them. But it requires deliberate effort from employers, educators, and training providers alike.
Better career advice and clear pathways
Awareness alone won’t cut it. Young people also need clear, credible information about the steps required to enter the sector. Currently, careers advice in many schools still defaults to traditional academic routes, such as universities and office-based professions. Vocational pathways, apprenticeships, and technician careers are often underrepresented or poorly understood.
To correct this, careers advice needs to evolve. Advisors should be equipped with up-to-date information about the renewables sector: what roles exist, what qualifications are required, what day-to-day work looks like, and crucially, what the progression opportunities are. Conversations about pay, job stability, and growth prospects should be honest and backed by real labour market data.
It’s also essential that vocational pathways are structured and visible. Apprenticeships in electrical installation, building services engineering, and renewable technologies should be promoted equally to academic educational options like A-levels. Employers should help shape these pathways by defining the skills they need and collaborating with training providers to design programmes that reflect real-world demands.
We’ve seen first-hand how apprenticeships and targeted vocational courses can fast-track school leavers into valuable roles. When young people enter the industry with solid foundations, they progress faster, are more engaged, and stay longer, which all help to address both quantity and quality of workforce supply.
Industry collaboration and investment
No single organisation can solve the skills challenge alone. It requires collaboration across industry, government, education, and training providers. Employers must be willing to invest in training as a long-term strategic business investment.
Government policy also has a role to play. Incentives for apprenticeships, funding for skills development, and support for training infrastructure will strengthen the talent pipeline. Likewise, industry bodies can provide frameworks for competency, certification, and continuous professional development, helping to standardise quality and strengthen the profession.
At the same time, training providers must be agile and forward-thinking. Technologies evolve quickly, so courses must keep pace at the same rate. Practical experience should be at the heart of learning, with simulation labs, industry placements, and real projects embedded into programmes.
Looking ahead: a workforce for net zero
The challenge of decarbonisation is immense, but so is the opportunity. Careers in renewable energy offer purpose, stability, and the chance to be part of something bigger. By engaging young people early, strengthening careers advice, and building robust vocational pathways, we can unlock a vibrant and capable energy workforce.
For school leavers contemplating their next steps, your future can be part of the energy revolution. For employers and educators, the call to action is equally clear: work together to build that talent pipeline, invest in training, and build the pathways that will power the UK’s clean energy future.
Decarbonisation extends beyond just technology, and we need to focus on ensuring we nurture young people and equip them with the right skills to reach our net-zero goals.