Thinking about making a switch to the green energy sector? Now would be a great time to get started. With Net Zero targets on the horizon, the UK has a lot of work to do in order to reach the 2050 targets.
As green energy production ramps up and we gradually reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, there will need to be big changes in the way we generate and use energy. There is currently a skills shortage in the UK that the government hopes to address through upskilling and retraining individuals from obsolete sectors.
With this in mind, we’re looking at some of the top skills and certifications that will put you in the best possible position to make the most of the green energy shift. Remember that the whole world will need to make the same changes, so your skills won’t just be in demand in the UK, they’ll be in demand all over the world.
With this in mind, let’s look at some of the most valuable skills and qualifications that will help you to break into the green energy sector and start maximising your earnings.
Top skills and qualifications for green energy
It’s common for forecasters to take a very narrow view of the green energy sector and only look at the highly technical roles involved with installing and maintaining sustainable energy projects. There are so many other sides to this sector to consider, so even if you aren’t an engineer, there are highly in-demand roles you could consider training for.
These are some of the top skills required to work in the green energy sector:
- Environmental awareness – it goes without saying that you’ll need to have an interest in environmental protection and causes in order to be successful in this sector.
- Teamwork and communication – this isn’t a sector where you’re going to be completing a lot of work alone. Whatever your line of work, you can expect to be working alongside a lot of other people, so the ability to work well with others is essential.
- Health and safety awareness – you might not have the specific skills for a certain situation, but having some awareness of the importance of health and safety in the energy sector will put you in an excellent position.
- Regulatory knowledge – this is a fast-moving sector and you can expect the regulatory knowledge and information to be updated frequently. As such, you’ll need an adaptable approach to work and the ability to take on new information as it becomes available.
- Project management – while you might not be in a project management role, understanding the importance of this role will make you a much better team player. There will also be roles that rest entirely on project management skills in order to deliver on time and on budget.
- Innovation and adaptability – green energy doesn’t have all of the answers yet, so it will require innovative minds to adapt quickly to the challenges and come up with realistic solutions.
Now that we know the kinds of skills employers are looking for, let’s look at some of the top qualifications you could consider to upskill or retrain in a completely new sector.
Big data and analytics
There is a common assumption that all green energy roles are in the engineering sector, but this simply isn’t the case. Big data and analytics will help to optimise the energy grid and ensure that green energy production can meet demand. If you have a background in IT, this could be the perfect career move that will allow you to put your interest in sustainability to good use.
Environmental protection
There’s little sense in investing in green energy projects that do more harm than good. Before new green energy ventures can move forward, it will be the role of environmental protection professionals to assess the potential impact and to offer suggestions. Qualifications in environmental science or environmental management.
Engineering and maintenance
Getting qualified as an engineer will put you in a unique position of being able to work on the design, installation and maintenance of new green energy projects. This could be a great role if you’ve always dreamed of travelling for work, as projects are more likely to be in remote regions. Green energy will also be in demand across the globe, so the potential to work overseas with your skills is high.
Heat pump installation
Qualified heating engineers might consider adding to their skills to become heat pump installers. The UK will need to end its reliance on gas central heating, and heat pumps could be one the of the leading replacements. While demand is currently not there, getting ahead of the curve and establishing yourself as the local go-to provider of heat pump installation will put you in an ideal position to capitalise on this shift.
EV charging station installation
Like heat pump installation, we’re also facing a shortage of individuals with the skills to install EV charging stations. We’re going to need a lot more of these in workplaces, shopping centres and at petrol stations if we’re going to be able to keep up with the shift towards electric vehicle ownership.
Green energy sales
There will need to be a big push to help trigger a switch towards green energy use, and this needs to come from consumer demand. Sales roles will be essential to encouraging consumers to make purchasing decisions that are in line with government targets. Sales professionals will be at the forefront of consumer education and will help consumers to make the most of the initial grants and incentives that will inevitably be offered to start moving the needle towards green energy.
Final thoughts on careers in green energy
There’s no doubt that green energy is on its way, but how the UK workforce responds remains to be seen. Those who are keen to make the most of this shift would be wise to start upskilling now so that they can make the most of their position as one of the few qualified professionals in the midst of a skills shortage.
