What Work Hertfordshire | Page 12

What Work Hertfordshire 2015 / 2016 RENEWABLE ENERGY & THE ENVIRONMENT The focus is very much on the future when it comes to low carbon or ‘green’ technology. The government has targets it has to meet to help reduce climate change around the world. It’s not just about constructing, assembling and monitoring – engineers and technicians will be designing and testing the buildings, vehicles and mobile phones of the future! What is happening? Skills & qualities • Huge growth area driving economy forwards: wind and wave power; energy and waste management; sustainable construction; carbon capture; bio energy and plug-in electric vehicles. • Green economy is a priority sector for the UK meaning extra support for ‘green collar’ jobs. • Skilled people in high demand especially qualification level 4 and above. Useful subjects • Demand for skilled workers in renewable technologies. • Shortage of mechanical, structural, aeronautical, electrical engineers; wind turbine technicians; geologists. • We’ll also need landscape, forestry and fisheries managers; energy managers and analytical chemists. • Demand for more ‘eco-friendly’ goods means more people to certify products – especially around technology. Local employers • McNicholas Construction ltd • Sustain Energy Systems Ltd • Renewable Energy • My Planet Ltd Systems Ltd • Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust 10 What could you earn?* Conservation manager £30,200 Design engineer £38,500 Engineering technician £33,600 Mechanical engineer £40,600 Lab technician £21,900 Energy plant operative £28,800 Environmental services manager £34,400 On the web www.bconstructive.co.uk www.futuremorph.org www.euskills.co.uk/careers www.sciencecareerpathways.com * Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2014. Average full-time (median) salary rounded to the nearest £100. Doesn’t include self employed.