Energy and utilities sector
The energy and utilities sector continues to expand as fossil fuels dwindle and awareness of the environment grows. Discover what it's like to work in the industry...
Energy and public utilities consist of a range of industries that share some significant similarities. These include:
These industries are of global significance and include some of the world's largest and best-resourced employers. Some of them, most notably oil and gas extraction, have come through the recession more easily than other sectors and have become increasingly important to graduates as a result.
Within these industries, there are many roles available to graduates, including:
For examples of job roles in this sector, see graduate jobs in energy and utilities.
Many of the largest companies in this sector are multi-faceted global organisations. Companies of this size operating in the UK include:
Energy companies supplying the UK include:
There are many organisations currently operating in renewable technologies, and a large number of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A number of companies with interests in conventional power now have sizeable green divisions.
Many SMEs in the sector provide a range of specialist services, particularly in consultancy and technical or engineering roles.
There are more than 20 water companies in the UK, including the Thames Water Ltd, United Utilities and Veolia Water, while the waste management and recycling market also offers many opportunities. Companies include Biffa, Viridor and Waste Recycling Group.
Graduates entering the energy and utilities sector can expect:
Global demand for oil and gas is increasing, while supplies in reserves that are currently exploited are decreasing. The industry has a challenge, vitally important to the modern industrial economy, of ensuring future oil and gas supplies.
The sector is in the strange position of simultaneously being considered partly responsible for climate change and being one of the key players in moves to mitigate it and find alternative sources of energy to reduce it in the future. Issues around climate change profoundly affect the way the industry approaches new development and business.
As a result of the sector being associated with environmental damage, it can suffer from a poor public image. In addition, some areas of the sector, such as waste management, are seen as unglamorous, while others are associated with difficult working environments.
Skills shortages are also an issue. The fast-moving nature of parts of the industry, the geographic isolation of some sites, and the continuing growth of the sector means that specialist engineers, chemists and geologists are often in demand. Those with project management, planning, and degree-level science and engineering skills are also in demand.
The sector faces a challenge to ensure staff are well trained and can adapt readily to new techniques and technology, as it spends a great deal on research and development, and drives a significant amount of technological and industrial change.
If you fancy a career in this sector, take a look at some of the job roles that could be ideal for your skills, qualifications and experience..
These job profiles are examples of graduate careers in the energy and utilities sector:
To find the graduate job roles that best match your skills and interests, log in to what jobs would suit me?
For job vacancies, search graduate jobs in the energy sector.
Learn about what employers are looking for in graduate employees, the qualifications you might need to start your career, and where to find the latest jobs in the energy and utilities sector
While the industry has many functions that could be expected for any large organisation, such as marketing, finance, sales, human resources (HR) and legal, many jobs are technical in nature and will usually require a qualification in a specific engineering discipline or skills in some of the sciences, particularly physical sciences, such as chemistry, physics or geology.
Graduate recruiters in the sector look for candidates who can demonstrate:
Both large and small organisations provide structured work experience placements and internships for students and graduates. The sector has a long-established tradition of sponsorship and sandwich placements, especially for engineers and scientists, but some sites are remote and so it is not always easy to get work experience during a university degree without some form of formal work placement.
Work experience is important in this industry; employers want to see evidence of enthusiasm and initiative. Despite there being many formal opportunities available, you may need to rely on speculative applications and networking in order to secure a voluntary or temporary role.
To find work placements and internships in the energy and utilities sector, search for work experience.
Vacancies are posted on organisations' websites, generic and industry-specific job websites and on trade websites. Opportunities can also be found in trade publications, local and national press and through careers fairs or networking events.
SMEs are more likely to advertise their vacancies through the local press, university careers service bulletins, local graduate vacancy listings, jobcentres, and word of mouth, rather than rely on their reputation and a presence at graduate recruitment fairs.
The Sector Skills Councils overseeing these sectors have a comprehensive list of useful links for those looking for a graduate job. For more information, visit Energy & Utility Skills - Useful Links for the utilities industry and Cogent - Useful Links for the petrochemicals industry.
If you're looking to get a job overseas, large UK-based organisations often have branches or companies in other countries. The oil and gas industries will often have jobs available overseas, generally where active extraction or prospecting takes place. Having competence in other languages and understanding other cultures is an asset.
To find graduate jobs in the sector, search graduate jobs in energy and utilities.
Get the lowdown on postgraduate study and professional training in the industry and how it could help you progress your career
A significant proportion of jobs in these industries may require postgraduate or professional qualifications on entry, and many of the skills shortages in the sector are in those that require specific, often quite uncommon, degree or research specialisms. For example, in research or specialist engineering roles, a postgraduate qualification is an advantage or often a requirement, sometimes along with a qualification in research skills.
However, entry into some energy and utility sector occupations will not necessarily require a postgraduate qualification, with employers tending to place emphasis on practical work experience and personal commitment instead.
Technical or professional roles, particularly in engineering, are likely to require prior postgraduate professional training, and in some countries, a relevant first degree can be advantageous.
Once you are working in the sector, achieving postgraduate or professional qualifications can enhance opportunities to progress and develop specialist areas of expertise. Continuing professional development (CPD) is supported by most large and many small organisations.
For more information on entry requirements and career development in the energy and utilities sector, see types of jobs.
To find relevant postgraduate courses in the UK, search courses and research.
There are a number of professional bodies in the industry that offer membership for professionals, such as:
Joining a professional body will not be mandatory for entry into many graduate jobs, but membership can offer a number of benefits, including:
Although professional qualifications are not necessarily essential to progress in a career in the sector, they could help you to stand out from the crowd and improve your employability.
Professional bodies often offer a variety of training programmes and courses that can boost your skills, as well as accreditation and chartered status. The EI offers arguably the most comprehensive range of training, most of which result in certification. For more information, visit Energy Institute Training .