Daily News
New Report Highlights Damaging Effect Of Skills Shortage On Renewables
The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) Workforce Census report has highlighted significant issues for the UK’s energy transition by surveying over 5800 workers.
The report shows that 81% of renewables employers are struggling to hire workers, compared to 71% in the wider engineering construction industry. In the census, employers said that a general lack of skills and qualifications were the main barriers to not being able to recruit. Issues around meeting salary expectations were also cited as a factor.
Renewable energy employers expect that the workforce will need to increase by 18% within the next 2 years, however this cannot happen without an emphasis placed on training and up-skilling to bridge the gap highlighted in the report.
“The Census is vital in helping industry understand labour market dynamics, anticipate workforce challenges and develop strategies to address skill gaps, such as in the renewables sector. Only through bringing in new talent and training and upskilling existing workers can industry secure the skilled workforce it needs both for now and the future.”
– Andrew Hockney, Chief Executive of ECITB
Earlier this year the UK Government announced funding and assistance for renewable energy training as a measure to solve this problem. This is also part of the wider ‘Plan for Change’ that will see the UK powered by clean energy by 2030. The government will also help individuals currently working in the oil and gas sector to move to renewables via a ‘skills passport.’
Without a skilled workforce the net zero ambitions and targets of the UK are at stake, but this is not just applicable to Britain, a highly-trained and skilled workforce is required across the globe in order to ensure the global energy transition. Contact the Renewable Energy Institute today to find out more.
Sources:
reNEWS.BIZ