As the government ramps up efforts to deliver its Plan for Change and build a clean power workforce, the Energy Secretary and Work and Pensions Secretary, industry, unions and trade bodies were told the government will work with them to develop a “clean power army” to meet 2030 targets.
From grid upgrades to renewables, the transition is expected to unlock tens of thousands of new roles across the UK.
National Grid is forecasting around 55,000 new jobs by the end of the decade, while SSE Transmission expects to support 37,000 roles – including 17,500 in Scotland.
Scottish Power’s SP Energy Networks plans to double its transmission workforce, adding 1,400 jobs and supporting a further 11,000 across the UK.
All of these projections depend on regulatory approvals, but signal the scale of opportunity the clean energy shift represents.
To meet demand, the government is launching a Regional Skills Pilot across four key growth regions: Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire.
“To meet our target to reach clean power by 2030, we need a clean power army of engineers, welders and technicians – giving thousands of young people the opportunity to play a vital role in tackling the climate crisis, increasing our energy security and boosting the economy”
Ed Miliband
Local authorities will get funding to assess and boost skills in their areas, helping to build the workforce needed to deliver clean power by the end of the decade.
Support could go to training centres, new courses, or career advisers – all geared toward getting people into skilled roles like welding, electrical engineering and construction.
Figures from CBI Economics show that jobs in net zero sectors jumped 10% last year, with average salaries hitting £43,000 – well above the national average.
The government says the clean energy drive will cut reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets and support record investment in the UK’s energy system – creating good jobs and economic growth along the way.
