New energy guide launched to help employers meet future energy workforce needs

UHI North, West and Hebrides has launched a new energy guide to help employers and investors explore skills, education and research to meet their future workforce needs.

With up to £100 billion of inward investment projected over the next 10 to 15 years (Regional Transformational Opportunities research | HIE ), much of it focussed on renewable energy and supporting infrastructure, collaborative actions between public, private and academic organisations are needed to retain more people in the Highlands and Islands, attract new talent, and address the skills shortages in industry sectors.

The new energy guide from UHI North, West and Hebrides outlines how the college can help employers meet workforce demands in this sector.

Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: “Across the North and West Highlands, Skye and Outer Hebrides, the opportunities are vast across onshore and offshore wind, hydro, and hydrogen, while the just transition from oil and gas, as well as nuclear decommissioning, will continue to be important energy sectors for our communities for the foreseeable future. This guide serves as a practical tool for employers, showcasing how we can work together to develop the skilled workforce needed to unlock significant economic growth, create high value jobs, and drive innovation in future-facing sustainable technologies.”

With expertise in engineering, energy, hydrogen, peatland restoration, environmental science, sustainability, maritime, construction and the built environment, the guide provides an overview of:

• The range of qualifications available at UHI North, West and Hebrides – from skills based vocational programmes and apprenticeships, through to short course continuous professional development, undergraduate and postgraduate study.
• State-of-the art training facilities in Thurso, Stornoway, Fort William, and Nigg.
• STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) outreach work in primary and secondary schools.
• Customised training solutions developed in partnership with employers to meet specific needs.
• Opportunities for research, innovation and knowledge transfer partnerships.

UHI North, West and Hebrides is already working with a wide range of employers and supply chain businesses across the North and West Highlands, Skye, and the Outer Hebrides, with demand growing in areas like electrical engineering, fabrication and welding, construction, and operations and maintenance.

“We can offer employers access to a wide range of skills, training, and education opportunities locally to support the talent pipeline - from apprenticeships and short intensive upskilling courses, to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees up to Masters level, as well as PhDs,” continued Lydia. “We’re here to help employers upskill their current workforce, attract new talent, and ensure long-term sustainability in the energy sector.”

Download the guide and get in touch with enterprise.nwh@uhi.ac.uk to explore how UHI North, West and Hebrides can support your workforce and training needs.

Visit Energy - UHI North, West and Hebrides for more information.