Unlocking the UK’s Potential: How Apprenticeships and Skills Drive Economic Growth and Workforce Sustainability
Kirsten Oliver, Managing Director for Energy
| WSP
As the UK looks towards a future powered by renewable energies, apprenticeships have a vital role to play in shaping the workforce. Offering a practical and scalable solution, they address the growing demand for talent in industries critical to delivering a Net Zero economy. With so much to do to deliver a resilient transition, the demand for skilled professionals across key sectors is accelerating fast and this is particularly notable in sectors like energy, where skilled workers are in high demand, but short supply.
The Growing Importance of Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships have evolved significantly in recent years. Today’s programmes combine hands-on training with industry-specific education, offering practical solutions to both immediate and future workforce needs. This is especially notable in the energy sector, where demand for green energy professionals is outstripping supply.
With huge investment in energy transition and security planned for the coming years given the Government’s commitment to achieving Clean Power 2030 and drive to Net Zero, the demand for workers across renewable energies - such as solar, offshore wind, and bioenergy - has never been greater. However, there remains a stark skills gap. This is where apprenticeships and wider STEM training can step in, preparing the next generation of experts needed to meet the UK’s ambitious green targets for 2030 and beyond.
Meeting Sector Demands
As we push to decarbonise the economy, the need for a skilled and reskilled workforce is urgent. The UK Climate Change Committee estimates that between 135,000 to 725,000 net new jobs could be created by 2030 in low-carbon sectors, such as renewable energy generation and linked areas like construction/buildings retrofit, battery storage and manufacture of electric vehicles. Significant growth is expected too around new technologies such as CCUS and hydrogen.
Given the scale of this transition, we must maintain a healthy skills pipeline. Training young people for roles in renewable energy management, engineering, system maintenance and wider areas is crucial. Not forgetting, the Net Zero transition will also require rapid reskilling of current workforces, all whilst the broader labour market is evolving with trends such as automation, digitalisation, shifting mobility patterns and an ageing workforce impacting modes of delivery.
Sustainable Workforce and Economic Impacts
We need a skilled workforce, whether it be wind turbine technicians, infrastructure planners, or solar panels and heat pump installers.
Apprenticeship programmes not only support the UK’s low-carbon transition but also provide young people with pathways to long-term, rewarding careers, fostering sustainable growth and prosperous futures.
Sustainability is not just about reducing emissions; it is about equipping the workforce to support economic transformation.
How Employers Can Support Green Apprenticeships
Investing in green apprenticeships is not just a strategic decision—it is a smart business move for employers across energy, environment, infrastructure and other sectors. Tailored apprenticeship programmes enable companies to build a workforce aligned with their specific needs, ultimately streamlining recruitment and training costs. Moreover, apprenticeships foster strong loyalty, with experience demonstrating that young professionals are likely to remain with companies that have invested in their development from the outset, ensuring long-term talent retention.
As a world-leading engineering and environmental consultancy, WSP operates right across the built and natural environments, supporting public and private sector clients in energy and a wide range of other sectors vital to the net-zero transition, including Water, Earth & Environment and Transport & Infrastructure. We recognise the importance of nurturing talent across these interconnected industries as we work towards a green future.
In our most recent intake of early-career professionals, we recruited 280 apprentices, graduates, and year-in-industry students. And in 2024 approximately 11% of our UK workforce was in Earn & Learn positions. As a proud member of The 5% Club, like many other businesses, we’re keen to champion early career development and lifelong learning. Our people are our future!
The Role of Government and Collaboration
Government support remains crucial to the continued success of apprenticeships and skills promotion, particularly in the green energy sector. Incentives, funding, and policy frameworks that encourage skills growth and businesses to take on apprentices will help accelerate the growth of this vital workforce.
It is good to see DESNZ and other Departments proactively recognising this need. Initiatives like the Office for Clean Energy Jobs, and its Skills Fund will be important in assisting regions transitioning from carbon-intensive industries. By working closely with education providers, the Skills Fund can support the creation of high-quality jobs with fair pay, good working conditions and strong training opportunities, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled workers.
Of course, driving growth through apprenticeships and wider skills development is not just the responsibility of the government. Effective collaboration between the public sector, employers and academia will be key to addressing these challenges and seizing the wealth of opportunities ahead.
With this in mind, it’s also encouraging to see the Government committing to leverage business expertise to drive skills development and economic growth as part of the its 'Plan for Change.' By involving employers directly in skills reforms, including discussions around a new levy-funded growth and skills offer, we can help create flexible pathways to skilled jobs in key growth sectors, aligned with the Industrial Strategy.
Apprenticeships Driving the Green Energy Revolution
So, this National Apprenticeship Week, let's recognise the power of apprenticeships and skills training in shaping tomorrow's workforce and enabling a resilient future. We must invest now in the passionate, upskilled professionals who will bridge the green skills gap and ensure a sustainable, prosperous future for the UK. Apprenticeship programmes are more than just a training tool—they are the key to unlocking the UK’s full potential.
If you would like to chat further with us, please contact: publicaffairs-uk@wsp.com
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