The UK is facing a massive skills gap in its wind and marine energy industries over the next decade.
The study, 'Working for a Green Britain Vol 2’, shows the UK is sitting on a potential employment gold mine in the wind, wave and tidal sectors, where more than 88,000 new jobs could be created between now and 2021.
However, the report also warns that British jobs could be lost to foreign countries and non-UK companies because the UK skills system is currently failing to ensure that enough qualified recruits are entering the labour market. Employers will be forced to look elsewhere in the European Union as the skills shortage is only going to increase.
Calling on employers to invest in their workforces and on Government and skills providers to urgently address the supply of appropriate skills to the labour market, the report claims job numbers could swell to over 100,000 – almost six times what they have already – within the next 10 years. Even with moderate growth, it forecasts more than 65,000 new jobs could be created. However, it says this will only happen if rapid action is taken to improve skills and training in these sectors.
The wind, wave and tidal energy sectors and their supply chains have already created over 20,000 new jobs in the UK. The study, published by RenewableUK and Energy & Utility Skills, the gas and power Sector Skills Council, outlines three possible market development scenarios that could determine how far the jobs market grows over the next decade.
- Under a high growth scenario, where wind and marine capacity hits 51.8 gigawatts (GW), as many as 115,000 full-time employees could end up working directly or indirectly in the sectors, the study says.
- If capacity reaches 41.5 GW (medium growth), it predicts 67,200 new jobs would be created in the sectors and their supply chains.
- In the worse case scenario, with just 25.7 GW of installed capacity, just 44,000 jobs would be supported, the report notes.
To achieve the best outcome, the study recommends the Government implement an effective and stable policy and legislative framework for renewables. It also calls for clear incentives to encourage investment in skills and training.
Locally in the West Country, Dorset-based small wind and hydro turbine manufacturer Ampair is creating eight new jobs on the back of strong growth in its export business in 2011.
But the company, which has been manufacturing micro wind turbines for over 50 years, has warned that its recruitment drive has been hampered by a lack of suitably qualified applicants.
Ampair is creating positions for electronics and mechanical engineer apprentices as well as for graduates in sales, project management and marketing. But Ampair’s production manager Quentin Kelly-Edwards admitted the company was finding it hard to find the right candidates.
"As an exporter, Ampair cannot ignore this if we are to continue to be internationally competitive. We provide outstanding opportunities for our staff, but we are finding hard to locate the right kind of candidate whether sourced through agencies or directly," he said.
Ampair is taking on new staff after seeing strong demand from abroad for its renewable energy-based products. The company designs and produces 100 watt to six kilowatt (kW) wind turbines, as well as hydro-electric turbines for water mills and a range of container-sized hybrid wind and solar based power systems that are designed to replace diesel generators. The company is aiming to become the world leader in small wind systems following a £1.5 million injection of capital in 2010.
"We started 2010 with seven staff, we now have 20 at the end of 2011 including the two apprentices who have just started, and we are looking to hire another eight early in 2012. Almost all of this growth is attributable to our export markets which represent two-thirds of our business, " David Sharman, Ampair’s managing director said.
“Skills shortages is a global problem in certain sectors commented Chris Slay of International Recruitment Agency Skills Provision Limited but there is usually a solution to be found in international markets but it takes planning and time to set up. Being West Country based ourselves we would be very happy to help any local businesses solve their recruitment challenges.”
Interestingly this conversation is a recurrent theme as I was only talking about the revewables sector with Old Mill the West Country Accountants and Guy Bottard of Future Law about the very same issues a few days ago.
It is ridiculous that the UK finds itself in this position but if industry needs the skills then if they have to source them internationally so be it."
Author: Peter Arkwright
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