Social Enterprise Your Energy Your Way launches a Trainee Renewables Scheme to meet the skills shortage of low carbon energy experts by recruiting a diverse workforce of renewables technicians.
With households and businesses realising that low carbon energy is an essential part of meeting Net Zero climate change targets, demand for renewable energy solutions is high. But, there are not enough trained fitters to install the necessary heat pumps and solar panels. A recent report by Nesta states that we need 27,000 more by 2028*.
Social Enterprise Your Energy Your Way (YEYW) is launching a new scheme designed to meet this skills gap by recruiting a diverse workforce. The mission of YEYW is to enable the transition to low carbon energy, through integrated renewable solutions, delivered by a diverse workforce. The scheme has therefore been designed to be particularly appropriate for women, by addressing potential barriers for female candidates:
• shortage of apprenticeship places
• a lack of female role models
• unsupportive environments
• financial difficulties associated with training later in life.
Full details of the trainee scheme: https://www.greenworkx.org/lp-your-energy-your-way
Leah Robson, Managing Director of YEYW, said:
‘A recent report on the heating sector by Energy Systems Catapult* stated that “Increasing diversity is key to addressing the skills shortage and meeting Net Zero targets”. We think we have found a solution, by designing a training programme that is rooted in real world experience. We intend to pay trainees the real Living Wage to encourage recent graduates and career changers to join the programme.’
Samsung Climate Solutions has generously donated a significant grant to enable the traineeship to take place.
Steve Fleming, Head of Samsung Climate Solutions UK & Ireland, commented:
“Samsung Climate Solutions are really proud to be involved with this initiative to make a change in the heating industry. We feel this is a fantastic opportunity for the installers of the future to work and train with Leah, one of the standard bearers in the industry. We look forward to supporting the trainees’ progress and helping to mentor and train the new recruits.”
The programme is intended as the pilot for a renewables training programme that could be rolled out to improve training, workforce diversity and renewable delivery across the sector.
It is being facilitated by online learning experts Betateach, who will provide fortnightly online meetings with a learning manager, to support the real world experience of working with YEYW’s heat pump installers, solar PV installation team and office team.
Each trainee will be tasked to maintain a daily presence on Betateach’s Learning Experience Platform, uploading videos, comments and discussion starters about the work they have been engaged in that day to enable peer-to-peer learning between the trainees. YEYW will provide additional engagement with industry experts, the Betateach Learning Manager will make regular site visits to the trainees, and each trainee will have an external mentor throughout.
At the end of the course, the trainees will be peer assessed by Your Energy Your Way staff and other recognised industry professionals to confirm that they are competent.
Greenworkx, the talent platform for emerging green jobs, is running the campaign to find fresh new talent for this programme. Mat Ilic has been working closely with YEYW on it and says:
‘Greenworkx is on a mission to get ten million people into green jobs by the end of the decade, a crucial contribution if the world is to reach net zero targets. We are delighted to be working with Your Energy Your Way on this campaign, because we share a vision that says these are good jobs for everyone, and our route to a better future for people and the planet. This training programme is building a clear pathway for new entrants to industry to learn while they earn, which is fundamental if we are going to succeed in building the skilled workforce for net zero.’
