Aberdeen has been identified as a key growth region for clean energy as the UK government unveils its "Plan for Change" aimed at creating thousands of clean energy jobs and apprenticeships by 2030.

The initiative, part of a broader strategy to boost employment and unlock economic growth, will see young people trained to fill the roles necessary for delivering clean power across the nation.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband convened a forum with industry leaders, unions, and trade bodies alongside Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall on Monday to outline the government's commitment to building a "clean power army." This workforce will be crucial in achieving the UK's ambitious targets for clean power generation by the end of the decade.

The transition to clean energy is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities across various sectors, from renewable energy generation to the upgrading of the UK's grid infrastructure. National Grid anticipates supporting around 55,000 new jobs by 2030, while SSE Transmission's plans include supporting a further 37,000 jobs, with 17,500 of these located in Scotland. Scottish Power's SP Energy Networks also intends to double its transmission workforce, creating approximately 1,400 jobs and supporting an additional 11,000 jobs across the UK – all subject to regulatory approvals.

As part of this drive, the government is pushing forward with a Regional Skills Pilot in the clean energy sector. Alongside Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire have also been identified as key growth areas. These regions will receive funding to assess the specific skills support required to deliver clean power by 2030, ultimately aiming to shield households and businesses from the volatility of fossil fuel markets.

This funding could be directed towards establishing new training centres, developing relevant courses, or employing career advisors to guide local individuals towards opportunities in industries such as welding, electrical engineering, and construction.

-- Advertisement --

The government highlighted its proactive approach to investing in skilled jobs, referencing the thousands of new roles being supported in the North East of England following the signing of contracts for the first carbon capture, usage and storage projects, backed by a £21.7 billion commitment. Additionally, a £55 million investment in the port of Cromarty is set to transform it into a major hub for the UK's floating offshore wind industry, creating hundreds of skilled jobs and driving economic growth.

Recent economic data indicates a 10% increase in jobs supported by net-zero sectors last year, with the average annual wage in the sector standing at £43,000 – £5,600 higher than the national average.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stated: “The energy sector has always been a source of good, skilled, and unionised jobs for young people across the UK, providing secure, well-paid employment for life. To meet our target to reach clean power by 2030, we need a clean power army of engineers, welders and technicians – giving thousands of young people the opportunity to play a vital role in tackling the climate crisis, increasing our energy security and boosting the economy to deliver our Plan for Change.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall added: “With almost a million young people neither earning nor learning it is vital that we give this generation the tools they need to seize the opportunity that is the clean energy transition. Our plan to Get Britian Working will overhaul employment support, giving everyone the tools and skills they need to and build a stronger, more prosperous future for them and their families.”

The government's "Get Britain Working" white paper, launched last year, outlines significant employment reforms, including the transformation of Jobcentres into a public employment service offering personalised skills and employment support, and a Youth Guarantee to ensure every young person has the chance to earn or learn. The renewable energy sector is expected to play a key role in driving economic growth alongside these employment initiatives.

The government is collaborating closely with employers to train young people for clean energy opportunities, with trade unions also playing a vital role in building a skilled energy workforce. The government has emphasised its commitment to ensuring world-class pay, terms, and conditions in the clean energy sector and is actively promoting better access and conditions for unions in the energy industry.

Initiatives such as the Skills Passport, designed to help oil and gas workers transition to offshore wind roles, and the Your Apprenticeship app, aimed at providing apprentices with easier access to essential tools and support, are already underway.

Economics analysis commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows that the net-zero sector already contributes £83 billion annually to the UK economy, with further investment expected to increase this figure. Government research also estimates that apprentices in England could generate £25 billion of economic growth over their lifetime.

Through ongoing investment and initiatives, the government aims to build the skilled workforce needed to deliver clean power by 2030, unlocking £40 billion of investment annually and reindustrialising Britain with thousands of quality jobs across the country. This underscores the government's commitment to a jobs-rich clean energy transition, placing communities and trade unions at the heart of the UK's clean energy future.