The UK Government has launched its first Clean Energy Jobs Plan, outlining how it will train thousands of new workers to meet rising demand across renewables – particularly in the fast-growing solar sector.
Employment in clean energy is expected to double to 860,000 by 2030, with 31 priority occupations identified, including electricians, engineers, and installers.
Backed by over £50bn in private investment since July 2024, the plan aims to expand the workforce required for technologies such as solar, wind, and nuclear.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Communities have long been calling out for a new generation of good industrial jobs. The clean energy jobs boom can answer that call”
He continued: “Our plans will help create an economy in which there is no need to leave your hometown just to find a decent job… a generation of young people in our industrial heartlands can have well-paid secure jobs, from plumbers to electricians and welders.”
A new strategy
Solar is a major focus of the new strategy. The government will work with industry and training providers to attract new entrants and retrain skilled workers, including veterans and former oil and gas employees, into solar installation and manufacturing roles.
Through the Mission Renewable programme, ex-service personnel will be matched with opportunities in solar panel installation, wind turbine factories, and nuclear sites.
Training initiatives include five new Technical Excellence Colleges and regional pilots worth £2.5m, funding new courses and career advice in clean energy.
The ‘energy skills passport’ – originally designed for offshore workers – is being extended to help more people transition into renewable sectors such as solar.
On the news, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden commented: “We’re giving workers the skills needed for the switch to clean energy, which is good for them, good for industry – and will drive growth across the nation.”
Praise from the solar industry
Industry groups, both domestic and international, have welcomed the move. In the official Gov.uk statement, several explain that the plan will aid in finding and retaining skilled workers for upcoming and current projects.
Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK and co-chair of the UK Solar Taskforce alongside Ed Miliband, said: “Solar energy and battery storage already support over 20,000 British jobs, with expectations that the sectors will employ more than twice that number in ten years’ time.
“With our Solar Careers UK programme and critical support from government under the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, we have every expectation that our aspirations will be fulfilled.”
“We’re really pleased to see the launch of the Clean Energy Jobs Plan and the recommendations within it,” added Michael Lewis, CEO of Uniper. “Uniper aims to invest approximately €8bn into growth and transformation projects by the early 2030s… contributing to the retention and creation of jobs and supporting the regional economy.”
Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Power Solutions, said: “We welcome the plan… EDF Power Solutions has 2GW of wind, solar and battery in operation, and our goal is to have 5 times that amount by 2035, so we will need many more skilled people to help us reach our ambition.”
