The UK Government defines a green job as: “Any career that helps the UK work towards net zero.” District energy is now recognised as a major contributor to decarbonising buildings, towns, and cities across the UK, by providing accessible, low-emission heating and cooling systems to entire districts.
But if we’re to ramp up the number of district energy networks across the UK – we’re going to need an increased number of professionals, working together to deliver the specialist trades and skills required.
The Government’s aim is to create 250,000 green jobs by 2030 – a key commitment of its 10-point plan to drive a Green Industrial Revolution[1]. And we’re contributing to that through the ThermaMech Early Careers Programme. The programme focuses on building a new workforce for the future, and showing young people at the start of their careers that the green jobs associated with District Energy are rewarding, abundant, and offer future security. Through the programme, ThermaMech will:
- Bring green jobs to local communities.
- Enhance the skillsets of those at the start of their career and help them to upskill in this specialist area.
- Provide vital experience of working with district energy experts.
Part of the work we’re doing, through the programme, is raising awareness, making young people aware of what these careers entail and what the pathways are to qualification, upskilling, and employment. Aaron Ascott, Co-founder and Contracts Director at ThermaMech said:
“We need to highlight the variety of career paths available to young people within district energy and show how rewarding it can be, playing a pivotal part in the UK’s drive towards net zero.
Beyond that, we need to show that as well as being rewarding, these jobs are enjoyable, accessible to people at the beginning of their careers, and that it’s a secure future with ample opportunity for progression.”
To do this, the ThermaMech Early Careers Programme launched by attending a number of career fairs across England, including the Exeter Apprentice Fair, Bath College Fair, and Bristol College Fair. Here the ThermaMech team spoke to young people who were looking to start their careers, giving them more information about the green energy industry and the opportunities therein. At South Bristol Apprenticeship Fair, the team also had the pleasure of meeting the area’s local member of parliament, Karin Smyth MP.
As well as those at the beginning of their careers, the programme looks to support individuals already working in trades to upskill their existing specialisms to work in district energy. With lots of skills being transferable to the green energy industry, it’s pivotal that we highlight the opportunities available, with clear routes to upskill for those who want to transition.
So far, the programme has enjoyed great engagement with high numbers of students in attendance at the career fairs, and from this pool we will recruit those suitable into apprenticeships as multi-skilled engineers, working across ThermaMech’s nationwide roster of projects. For us it’s simple – to secure a green future for the UK, we have to invest in our workforce for the future.
For more information about the ThermaMech Early Careers Programme, and to register your interest, please visit our recruitment page.
[1] https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/POST-PN-0711/POST-PN-0711.pdf
