Latest news : Energy skills shortage

The energy sector is facing an impending skills shortage, as students steer clear of careers in science, technology and energy, according to a recent survey by Centrica and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The survey of 4,000 A-level and undergraduate students and parents commissioned by Centrica, has revealed that whilst young people say that moving to a low carbon future is either ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important, (53%), over half (55%) wouldn’t consider a career in science, technology or energy.

Centrica and the CBI are warning that while policy makers have focused on getting the right energy infrastructure and investment incentives to build the power generation the UK will need to meet its energy needs, less immediate attention has been given to who will be operating them. This is a huge concern, compounded by the ageing of the UK’s current nuclear workforce - 70% could be retired by 2025.

Against this backdrop, Centrica is leading a drive to get A-level students and undergraduates to consider science and engineering qualifications that will position them to become the UK’s new power generation workforce of 2017 and beyond. 

Commenting on the findings, Centrica CEO, Sam Laidlaw said, ‘The government plans for 400,000 jobs to be created in UK green industries by 2015. Yet, unless we convince young people of the exciting and rewarding careers available in energy today, we risk a stark power generation gap in the new future.

‘Climate change will affect all our lives. Ensuring we have the expertise and skills needed to meet the challenges it brings is the responsibility of the industry, parents and the education sector. Working together, we must act urgently to address this impending skills gap as we seek to lead the transition to a low carbon future.’