The UK’s acute shortage of engineers, skilled in green technologies, could be overcome by using unemployed workers who have transferable skills.
 
Gary Hewett, managing director of ATA Energy, a recruitment consultancy specialising in the energy generation sector, says companies should not overlook the wealth of talent that exists among engineers working in more traditional industries.

“Many have excellent transferable skills and come with a desire to make their mark in this new, expanding field, which could really make a difference to the future of the planet,” said Hewett.
 
“They can make a huge positive contribution to companies which otherwise may have to wait for years for the emerging generation of engineers who are specifically trained in green technologies.”
 
He says his company is confident it can identify engineers for both blue and white collar roles with transferable skills who will be able to make the transition into the renewable energy field.

Energy and climate change secretary, Ed Miliband, has warned that global warming could be happening more quickly than expected and Britain may be left behind in the drive to deliver sustainable energy solutions because of a growing skills gap.
 
And both the CBI and the Royal Academy of Engineering have identified a shortfall of the skilled engineers and scientists who are essential to the expansion of the renewable energy sector in the UK, with geotechnical design engineers, marine engineers, water engineers and geo-environmental engineers all on the government’s official list of UK skills shortages.

Subscribe to TJ news bulletins:

| Subscribe to our L & D RSS Feed

Related News

• Diversity and flexibility way forward for higher education
• Sign on for benefits, sign up for skills
• UK lacks skills to become top-class innovator

Related Discussion Topics

• A national skills gap database
• Assessment Centre Statistics
• BBC interview: feedback, please

Latest News

• New award recognises organisations that invest in employee wellbeing
• Employers failing to Integrate talent management and diversity
• Health sector workforce skills need to be utilised more effectively, report finds
• Millionth worker completes training through Train to Gain
• Last week to apply for cash in return for help in NEET survey