Britain’s move towards renewable energy could deliver up to 725,000 new jobs
ENERGY Secretary Ed Miliband’s plans for Net Zero may be facing scrutiny, but there’s no doubt the renewable energy industry is becoming an attractive place to work.
Recent studies suggest that 84 per cent of consumers support the use of wind power, solar energy and biomass to provide electricity, fuel and heat.
The move towards renewables — also known as clean energy — could deliver between 135,000 and 725,000 new jobs, according to the Climate Change Committee, but finding and training enough new staff to meet the nation’s needs is a serious challenge.
To help accelerate the sector’s development, the Government has launched the Energy Skills Passport, which helps staff in the oil and gas industries transition to working in clean energy.
Industry body Offshore Energies UK says 90 per cent of oil and gas workers already have skills that are relevant.
They can now access the passport online and find routes into offshore wind including construction, maintenance and management.
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RenewableUK’s executive director of offshore wind Jane Cooper said: “To grow our world-class offshore wind industry as fast as possible, we need the valuable experience that British oil and gas workers can bring to our sector.
"The Energy Skills Passport provides a pathway for them into clean energy by identifying which offshore wind roles would suit them best and setting out the training they will need to secure these new job opportunities.”
Other initiatives helping to power up renewables include the development of low-carbon apprenticeships.
Energy giant Octopus has launched a two-and-a-half year scheme training staff on thermal tech and air and ground source heat pumps.
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The Government is also rolling out a regional skills investment plan to train thousands of new staff in green energy.
Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire have all been identified as key growth regions, with flourishing offshore wind, nuclear, and solar industries.
Local partners will receive funding to identify the skills support that is needed, including training centres, courses and career advisers.
Minister for Industry Sarah Jones said: “Home grown, clean energy and the industries of the future like hydrogen and carbon capture will create thousands of skilled jobs.”
Some industry experts are suggesting the UK could become a global leader in clean energy.
Christophe Williams, founder of Naked Energy, said: “British companies with transformational green tech are at the forefront of this change and with more skilled labour it will become easier to scale.”
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith added: “Skills will be a vital part of our transition to a clean energy future, and many young people are keen to break into this sector.”
See energyskillspassport.org.uk.
MORGAN WILLIAMS began his career in traditionally-fuelled power stations before retraining as a wind turbine technician with energy firm RWE.
Morgan, 27, from Swansea, said: “This is easily the greatest job I’ve ever had.
“It is exciting being at the forefront of renewable technologies.
“Another draw is the view from working up high. You can see for miles around.
“If you are new to the sector, I’d recommend taking an apprenticeship, but if you’ve already done that consider a Global Wind Organisation training course which shows companies you are keen.”
You can look for job opportunities with Morghan’s firm at rwe.com/en/rwe-careers-portal.
Inboxing clever
“AS per my last email” has been voted the most vexing phrase to use in a work communication.
Loathed by one in four workers, it was described as “passive aggressive” and the saying most likely to prompt a negative response.
Other disliked language included “just looping you in”, hated by 23 per cent of employees, followed by a fifth who were riled by “not sure if you saw my last email” and “just a friendly reminder”.
The study, from Curry’s, shows the average office-based worker receives 368 emails a week.
A spokeswoman said: “Email etiquette is more important than ever. As face-to-face meetings have decreased, email chains have increased, meaning it is important to avoid annoying your fellow workers if you want them to pay attention.”
How to boost output
NATIONAL Productivity Week began on Monday so how can we work most effectively?
The UK lags behind major economies like the US, France, and Germany in global productivity rankings.
Rasmus Holst, CEO of employee development platform Zensai, says: “Staying productive at work can be a challenge with so many distractions and interruptions.”
Here he shares his advice.
SWITCH OFF NON-ESSENTIAL ALERTS: Social media notifications divert attention from tasks. Use apps that block social media access or track screen time to help you stay focused.
Switch your phone settings to “work focus” to silence pop-ups from selected people and apps too. Use your phone during work breaks only.
CUT DOWN ON MEETING TIME: Unnecessary or unproductive meetings eat up time that could be better spent.
So communicate your workload with team members and suggest alternatives, like using email or team chat tools for quick information sharing. If a meeting is necessary, keep discussions on track with a tight agenda and time limit.
RESPOND TO EMAILS IN BULK TIME SLOTS: Instead of jumping on every notification immediately, set specific times to check and respond to messages in bulk, minimising interruptions.
If you’re a hybrid worker, set up an “away from desk” notification so colleagues know when to expect a response.
WEAR HEADPHONES TO BLOCK OUT CO-WORKERS’ CHAT: Talkative colleagues make it hard to stay focused.
Let your colleagues know when you need to concentrate by wearing headphones or moving to a quieter space.
SAY NO TO TOO MANY EXTRA TASKS: When you are overworked and get no chance to recharge, you can burn out and lose motivation. Communicate openly with your manager about your workload to find solutions together.
KEEP YOUR WORKSPACE TIDY: Cluttered desks and noisy open-plan offices won’t help you. Keep your workspace focused too with only the items you need visible.
Jobspot
ICELAND has more than 600 jobs available across the country, including full and part-time vacancies for retail staff, home delivery drivers
and management. Search for your ideal position at jobs.icelandcareers.co.uk.
POUNDLAND has vacancies for store managers, assistant store managers and store supervisors nationwide. See www.poundlandcareers.co.uk.
Say hi to bye day
TODAY is officially the most popular day for workers to quit.
January prompts a new year “resignation rush” as staff seek to change company or career, research shows.
An estimated 70 per cent of employees aren’t happy with their job, so bosses are braced for a deluge of resignations today.
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Most workers wait until the last day of January to ensure they are making the right move and have been paid for the month.
Robbie Bryant, spokesman for online course provider Open Study College, which carried out the research, said: “The perfect time to hand in your notice is one hour before the end of the working day as it gives your employer enough time to process the resignation and re-evaluate business plans.”