A workforce report has revealed challenges facing the renewables sector to ensure it has the skilled workers needed to meet future demand in the engineering construction industry (ECI).
The ECI plays a crucial role in the UK meeting its net zero ambitions, spanning sectors that focus on the construction, maintenance and decommissioning of heavy industry, including oil and gas, nuclear, power generation, renewables and water treatment.
The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) Sectoral Workforce Census report offers a comprehensive overview of the renewables workforce that falls within the ECI, having gathered data on more than 5800 workers.
The report reveals that 81% of renewables employers in the ECI sector are experiencing challenges hiring workers, compared to 71% in the wider ECI in Great Britain.
Electrical and mechanical fitters, pipefitters, platers, non-destructive testing technicians and planners are among the roles that are proving most difficult to recruit.
Employers experiencing difficulties filling vacancies cite a lack of qualifications and skills and challenges meeting salary expectations.
The report also highlights the unique opportunities and challenges facing the six renewables sub-sectors, as well as their distinct workforce characteristics
Biomass is the largest of these engineering construction sub-sectors, accounting for 24% of the renewables workforce, followed by energy from waste (21%), offshore wind (20%), biofuels (15%), onshore wind (14%) and solar (8%).
ECITB Chief Executive Andrew Hockey said: “The Census is vital in helping industry understand labour market dynamics, anticipate workforce challenges and develop strategies to address skill gaps, such as in the renewables sector.
“Only through bringing in new talent and training and upskilling existing workers can industry secure the skilled workforce it needs both for now and the future.”
The renewables sector nearly doubled its share of the overall ECI workforce over three years, growing from 3.4% in 2021 to 6.2%.
Major workforce hotspots include London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Drax. Secondary hotspots include Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, Middlesbrough, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Pembroke and Great Yarmouth.
Employers in the sector estimate an 18% increase in headcount by 2027.
This is the second-highest workforce growth expectation of all ECI sectors, underpinning the increasingly central role the sector is playing in the industry.
The sector benefits from a younger workforce compared to the industry average, with 22% of the workforce below 30 against 17% for the wider ECI.