100,000+ jobs from wind and marine energy in a decade

According to a new joint report, by RenewableUK and Energy & Utility Skills, up to 115,000 full time could be created.

However, this top end employment figure requires vast investment by both business and Government to create the infrastructure and security required for the industry to thrive, according to RenewableUK.

Under Working for a Green Britain Vol 2’s ‘high growth scenario’, with 51.8GW generated by wind and marine power, there would be a market for around 115,000 full-time employees working directly in the sector or supporting it.

In the report’s medium growth scenario (41.5GW) will create around 67,200 new jobs.

And, even under the low growth scenario (just 25.7GW) of installed capacity the industry would still support around new 44,000 jobs.

However, the report notes this would represent a ‘failure’ of the UK to harness both the economic and socio-political benefits offered by the renewables sector.

The study also claims the UK skills system is currently failing to ‘ensure an adequate supply’ of qualified new recruits entering the labour market.

It warns ‘a failure to address this issue’ could result in jobs going abroad, or being carried out in Britain by non-UK companies and workers.

RenewableUK, chief executive, Maria McCaffery, said: “We must ensure that the right training is available to ensure that the workforce has the appropriate skills to serve this dynamic sector, as it continues to expand at an extraordinary rate.”

Energy & Utility Skills chief executive, Tim Balcon, added: “This research provides clear and compelling evidence of the need for government, employers, and the providers of skills to work in collaboration to meet the skills needs of this rapidly growing sector of the UK economy.”

Luke Walsh