Due to the relative infancy of the green energy sector, there is a shortage of green skills training available and, while the net zero target promises to open a new job market, a green skills shortage threatens the energy transition.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) estimates that between 135,000 and 725,000 new jobs could be created in low carbon sectors such as installation, renewable energy generation and electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030.
Meanwhile, a report released by UK government agency Skills England found that the green transition will likely affect one in five UK jobs, spurring prime minister Keir Starmer to announce a new growth and skills levy.
It notes that “building the supply of necessary skills will take time, with some complex occupations requiring reskilling to meet the standards needed”.
Segen distributes solar PV, EV charging, energy storage system technologies, heat pumps, and ancillary electricity equipment, and the Segen academy—which launched at the end of October—is located beside the company’s distribution centre in Rochester.
It will have the capacity to train about 1,600 installers annually, equipping apprentices and electricians with essential skills for the expanding solar PV, battery energy storage system (BESS), heat pump and EV markets.
The purpose-built skills academy is part of the company’s effort to tackle the UK’s shortage of qualified renewables installers. Segen staff involved in the project spoke to Current± about the project’s inception and how it will support the installers of the future.
Read more: Current+
