First Clean Energy Jobs Fair held
Over a hundred schoolchildren and students have attended the Government’s first Clean Energy Jobs Fair, co-hosted by the North East Mayor, Port of Tyne, and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Following the Government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan, the first national plan to train and recruit workers needed for the clean energy mission, the jobs fair brought together local businesses, universities and colleges to show students the thousands of opportunities available.
Held on Thursday 11 December, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Minister for Industry Chris McDonald and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness attended what is expected to be the first event in a series across the country.
The North East is a major clean energy hub, with Blyth launching the country’s offshore wind industry 25 years ago and the east coast carbon capture cluster expected to directly support 2,000 jobs in the region.
Industry and local colleges are already collaborating to train up the next generation of workers in the North East. Newcastle College’s Energy Academy runs subsea and renewable energy training, while Middlesbrough College has partnered with BP to train operators for roles in carbon capture and hydrogen.
North East Mayor Kim McGuiness said:
“We are making the North East the home of the green energy revolution so we’re delighted to welcome the Energy Secretary and Minister for Industry to our region today so they can see our work in action.
“We’ve brought together students with skills providers and employers, showing the wide range of green energy opportunities available here in the North East. We’re funding innovation, infrastructure and skills right across the region to provide thousands more jobs in green energy – up to 24,000 by 2035.
“We have seen today that young people are excited about their future in this thriving sector – there’s a buzz in the air which is great to see.”
Earlier this year the Government announced that five new Technical Excellence Colleges will train the next generation of clean energy workers, as part of government’s drive for two-thirds of young people to be in higher-level learning.
Backed by record government and private sector investment in clean energy such as renewables and nuclear, the clean energy economy is sparking a boom in demand for good industrial jobs in all regions and nations of the UK – with 31 priority occupations such as plumbers, electricians and welders particularly in demand.
For young people, these jobs can offer higher levels of pay – with entry level roles in the majority of occupations in clean energy paying 23% more than the same occupations in other sectors.
