We must teach them tech! Green skills drive training thousands across the UK

What if the solution to rising energy bills, climate change, and economic growth could be solved in one fell swoop?

The UK government seems to think it’s possible. With a bold new initiative, billions of pounds are being poured into green skills training programmes aimed at preparing workers for the clean energy revolution.

And the need for action couldn’t be clearer: our recent research⁽¹⁾ shows that 77% of adults believe investing in sustainability is key to our children’s future, while over half (54%) think the government and energy companies must lead the charge. The vast majority of people (82%) agree that teaching the next generation tech skills plays a vital part in the UK’s success.

Imagine a UK where solar panels gleam on rooftops, electric vehicles glide silently through streets, and homes run on energy stored in smart batteries. Behind the scenes, it’s a new generation of skilled workers making this vision a reality — driving the shift to a greener, cleaner future.

Key regions like Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire have been earmarked as hubs of clean energy growth, supported by targeted funding to upskill communities. At the heart of this push is the new “Energy Skills Passport,” designed to help workers from traditional oil and gas industries transition into the renewable energy sector.

But this isn’t just about jobs. It’s about transformation.

Leading the green collar workforce

As the government lays the groundwork, we’re already making the shift a reality. In 2023, we opened our Net Zero Training Academy in the heart of the West Midlands, a beacon for green skills development. Here, we’re training technicians and engineers to install and manage technologies like solar panels, electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps.

This academy isn’t just about keeping up with the energy transition; it’s about leading it. By preparing colleagues and the next generation of green collar workers, we’re ensuring a workforce equipped to thrive in a more sustainable future — while delivering affordable, green energy to homes across the UK.

And innovation needs green skills.

Take Coventry, for example. In a pioneering pilot, we’re transforming homes with free battery installations, solar panels, and heat pumps. Vulnerable customers are lowering their energy bills, reducing carbon footprints, and taking control of their energy use.

These projects don’t happen in isolation. They rely on a workforce equipped with the latest skills to design, install, and maintain innovative energy solutions. Every solar panel fitted, every battery installed, and every smart energy solution implemented requires a new generation of workers trained in cutting-edge techniques. This is why investing in green skills is so critical — not just for the future of the energy industry but for the people and communities who will benefit from it.

Powering the green economy

The government’s ambition to create two million green jobs by 2030 isn’t just a target — it’s a necessity. As innovation surges ahead, so too must the skills that underpin it. At E.ON, we’re committed to upskilling not only our workforce but also the communities we serve, ensuring that the benefits of clean energy are felt nationwide.

So, as the UK reindustrialises for a cleaner, greener future, one thing is clear: the energy transition isn’t just about cutting emissions or lowering bills. It’s about opportunity, innovation, and creating a brighter future for everyone.