The renewable energy industry is a clean, green, power machine, generating lots of exciting jobs and careers for those of you keeping an eye on the future of our planet…

Renewable energy is the power generated by sources like the wind, waves and the sun, which naturally replenish themselves and which won’t run out, even if we use them continuously. This innovative industry offers exciting job opportunities for anyone with an interest in the environment and engineering.

Background

Projects which employ lots of people are being spurred on by the Government’s need to meet the target that by 2020, 15% of our energy demand should come from renewable sources. The benefits of a career in this industry include the proactive nature of the jobs the diversity of the roles available, with average salaries in the renewables sector now rising with demand and the UK’s green economy is worth £128 billion and supports jobs for nearly a million people. Check out more info on renewable energy jobs at: www.renewableuk.com/en/careers/ .

Routes into renewable energy jobs

To become a renewables engineer you could enrol on a vocational course like The Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance Advanced Level Apprenticeship (you need 200-300pts at A-level), launched by RenewableUK.

If you want to take the graduate route into a career in the renewables sector, universities typically require A-level grades ABB-A*A*A, in maths, a science (preferably physics) and a third science-based subject. You may also need a STEP mathematics award. You could take an engineering degree course and do a BSc in Clean Energy, Chemical Engineering or Engineering Science. If you want to develop your credentials further, you could study for an MSc in either maths, physics or chemistry or do a degree in environmental sciences.

If your interest lies more in the consultancy, policy making or research side of renewables, it might be wise to gain some practical engineering experience and then go on study for a BSc or MSc. Other job options are in technological research, environmental field research, data reporting and finance, campaigning and communications, and policy and legal aid.

Try it out

If you are keen to pursue a career in the renewables industry, why don’t you get involved in your school’s science and eco clubs? What about trying to get some wind turbines installed – if there aren’t any yet, use your initiative! Try finding work experience in a relevant local business or opt for residential volunteering at the Centre for Alternative Energy in Wales. You could help out at a nature reserve to get some insight into environmental management. As a student, you could apply to do a Year in Industry or another similar scheme run by the Engineering Development Trust (EDT).

Finally, you could subscribe to some relevant social networking groups and keep up with all the latest environmental news in the papers. The renewables industry has a great ethos and working in this area of the power industry will give you the chance to really make a real difference to the planet – so if you’re interested, don’t hang around, get involved now! For more information on jobs in power and renewable energy, go to our page on careers in agriculture.