A recent survey by UK comparison site Confused.com reveals a significant shift in vocational training preferences among young people, indicating a growing interest in renewable energy careers. Traditional trades such as electricians and mechanics, historically viewed as stable and lucrative, are now being eclipsed by roles in the renewable energy sector due to rising environmental concerns.
The survey, which focused on UK energy experts aged 16 to 24, sheds light on evolving career interests and the changing perception of renewable energy trades versus traditional vocational paths.
Rising Popularity of Renewable Energy Trades
The survey identifies the top ten trades of interest, with renewable energy roles securing four spots. The breakdown is as follows:
- Electrician: 17.8%
- Mechanic: 15.8%
- Bricklayer: 11.9%
- Renewable Energy Technician: 8.9%
- Carpenter & Joiner: 8.2%
- Plumber: 7.8%
- Solar Panel Installer: 6.8%
- Biomass Technician: 6.7%
- Plasterer: 6.6%
- Wind Turbine Technician: 5.8%
While traditional trades remain essential for construction and maintenance, the survey highlights a growing preference for renewable energy roles, surpassing some established vocations such as plumbing and plastering.
Motivations Behind Career Choices
When evaluating the appeal of traditional versus renewable energy careers, the survey reveals distinct motivations. A high salary remains a significant factor for both sectors, with 50% of respondents favoring traditional trades and 44% leaning towards renewable energy roles. Flexibility is also important, attracting 37% to traditional trades and 36% to renewable energy careers.
Job security is slightly more appealing in traditional trades (35% vs. 33% for renewable energy), while the environmental impact is a stronger motivator for renewable energy careers (25% vs. 18% for traditional). The interest in renewable energy’s growth and job prospects (24% and 21%) also surpasses that of traditional energy (22% and 19%). However, traditional trades show a higher interest in self-employment opportunities (21% vs. 18%).
Access to Education
The survey highlights a gap in awareness about renewable energy apprenticeships. More young people are familiar with apprenticeship applications for traditional trades (68%) compared to renewable energy trades (56%). Regional disparities are also evident, with 65% of respondents in the North East knowing how to apply for renewable energy apprenticeships, compared to only 46% in the South East.
Awareness of local colleges offering renewable energy courses is mixed. Approximately 40% of respondents are aware of these courses, while 39% are unsure and 21% believe their colleges do not offer them.
Salary Expectations
Electricians are generally perceived as offering the highest salaries among vocational trades. Renewable energy roles, including wind turbine and biomass technicians, also show strong earning potential. Traditional trades such as mechanics and plumbers follow closely. Electric vehicle charging point installers are perceived as having lower salaries (13.7%), although they are still viewed as better paying than some traditional trades like welders and carpenters.
Barriers to Pursuing Renewable Energy Careers
The survey identifies key barriers to pursuing renewable energy careers, with a lack of information in schools being the most significant. Over 43% of young people expressed a need for better information about training programs and work placement opportunities during their education. Other concerns include the perception of few local job opportunities (25%), high training costs (24%), limited training locations (23%), and unclear job prospects (22.5%). Respondents also called for higher apprenticeship salaries (41%) and more support in finding apprenticeships (39%).
While traditional trades continue to attract interest, the survey underscores a growing appeal of renewable energy careers. To facilitate this shift, increased discussion in schools about renewable energy options, along with improved access to training and financial support, will be crucial in expanding the renewable energy workforce.
Related topics:
