UK to create 400,000 new jobs in the energy sector – these are the roles that are hiring
Clean energy will bring 400,000 extra jobs by 2030, with high demand for roles including plumbers, electricians, and welders.
On Sunday (19 October), the government published a comprehensive national plan to train up the next generation of clean energy workers, with employment expected to double to 860,000 by 2030, ensuring jobs are high-quality and well paid.
Setting clear workforce estimates for the first time will galvanise industry, the public sector, and education providers to work together to deliver one cohesive strategy to invest in training for specific in-demand occupations, it said.
The government has already given Sizewell C the green light, which will support 10,000 jobs at peak construction, announced Rolls Royce as the preferred bidder for the small modular reactor programme to support up to 3,000 jobs, and kickstarted the Acorn and the Viking projects in Scotland and the North East that is estimated to support a combined 35,000 jobs, including 1,000 apprenticeships.
This builds on the 4,000 jobs already set to be created in CCUS projects in the North West and Teesside.
Jobs in wind, nuclear, and electricity networks all advertise average salaries of over £50,000, compared to the UK average of £37,000, and are spread across coastal and post-industrial communities.
Jobs in demand
The government published the following list, which shows the jobs that are likely to be in demand as part of the investment push:
Skilled Trades (A-Level or equivalent)
- Plumbers and heating/ventilating installers and repairers: 8,500 – 10,000 jobs
- Carpenters and joiners: 7,000 – 8,499 jobs
- Electricians and electrical fitters: 7,000 – 8,499 jobs
- Metal working production & maintenance fitters: 4,000 – 5,499 jobs
- Welding trades: 1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- Metal working machine operatives: 1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- Bricklayers, plasterers, scaffolders, and metal machining setters: 1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- Routine inspectors and testers: 1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- Telecoms and network installers: 2,500 – 3,999 jobs
Construction Trades (Below A-Level)
- Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters: +2,500 – 3,999 jobs
- Floorers and wall tilers: +1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- Roofers, roof tilers and slaters: +1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- Plastics process operatives: +1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- Construction operatives (n.e.c.): +1,000 – 2,499 jobs
Engineering and Technical roles (Higher Education)
- Production managers and directors (manufacturing): 5,500 – 6,999 jobs
- Engineering professionals (n.e.c.): 4,000 – 5,499 jobs
- Mechanical engineers: 2,500 – 3,999 jobs
- Production managers and directors (construction): 2,500 – 3,999 jobs
- Civil, electrical and project engineers: 1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- Production & process engineers: 1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- Construction project managers and related professionals: 1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- Quantity surveyors: <1,000 jobs
- Engineering technicians: 1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- CAD, drawing and architectural technicians: 1,000 – 2,499 jobs
- Electronics engineers: <1,000 jobs
