What Work Leicestershire What Work Leicestershire 2017 singles | Page 12

What Work Leicestershire
LOW CARBON AND
THE ENVIRONMENT
The focus is very much on the future when it comes the energy sector with low
carbon or ‘green’ technology high on the agenda. The efficient use of resources
and sustainability impacts all industries and the government has climate change
reduction targets that it must meet. This sector is a fast growing area, including:
wind and wave power, energy and waste management, sustainable construction,
bio energy and plug-in electric vehicles, environmental goods and services.
What is happening?
Skills & qualities
• The low carbon sector locally is estimated to have a
market value of around £2 billion and employs 3,700
people in energy alone, with linked specialisms including
solar panels, wind energy, recycling, sustainable building,
offshore power and electric vehicle servicing.
• Increasing numbers of organisations have sustainability
managers or officers, to embed ‘green’ practice across the
whole company.
What could you earn?
Environmental consultant £22K-£60K
• The independent Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) in
Loughborough has helped to position the area as a centre
for renewable energy and energy research expertise. Energy engineer £20K-£80K
Research scientist £16K-£60K
Recycling officer £19K-£35K
• The area is home to much of the National Forest, and also
has some specialisms in ‘smart grid’ development (local
power networks that respond to peaks in power usage,
saving electricity). Water treatment technician £15K-£34K
Mechanical engineer £30K-£50K
Useful subjects
• The universities of De Montfort, Leicester, and
Loughborough have some excellent low carbon research
centres, with strengths in energy, building
technologies and low emission vehicles.
• A range of skills are needed at all
occupational levels, but especially
at a higher level for mechanical /
electrical engineers, plant technicians,
environmental scientists, green
technologists, research and graduates in
physics, chemistry and geology.
On the web
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www.bconstructive.co.uk
www.futuremorph.org
www.euskills.co.uk/careers
www.sciencecareerpathways.com
www.eti.co.uk
www.engc.org.uk
Local employers include
• Western Power Distribution
• Intelligent Energy Holdings
• National Grid • Brobot
• E.On • Walter Miles
• British Gas • Eco Motive
Manufacturing
• Flogas
• Cenex
• Eurokey
Recycling