Contractors might want to consider acquiring renewable energy skills after it was announced that 10,000 new direct jobs could be created in tidal and wave power by 2020.
The UK’s first Marine Energy Park will be located in the southwest, stretching from Bristol to the Isles of Scilly.
RenewableUK’s recent report entitled ‘Channelling the Energy’ claims that the UK’s existing skills base will not be able to deliver the growth the industry needs. However, it goes on to say that the problem can be resolved.
Small steps are already being taken. In 2010, the Renewables Training Network, a joint initiative between the government and the renewables sector, set up a wind turbine service technician apprenticeship.
David Green, a director of the Network, said that geography is one of the major challenges when it comes to sourcing talent for remote projects. However, contractors with a strong background in electrical and mechanical engineering have the cross sector skills necessary to transition into the renewable sector.
David Blake from recruitment firm Allen & York recently explained that the renewable energy sector was already suffering from a shortage of talent, but specialist recruiters should be able to source candidates from outside the industry and offer them realistic advice.
He went on to say that the best sources of talent are currently the aerospace, energy and oil and gas industries. There is also available talent in some European countries.
Graduates can also now receive training in wave energy and windmill technology thanks to an investment of £6.5 million from the BIS.
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