Forging the future of green skills: the man behind E.ON’s Net Zero Training Academy

At the helm of E.ON’s Net Zero Training Academy, Sean Holgate has a clear and ambitious vision: to make the West Midlands site the leading hub for green training in the UK. Creating a network of academies across the country and training thousands of people in the skills needed to build a greener, more sustainable future. “It’s not just about technical knowledge,” Sean says. “It’s about taking the fear out of moving into green energy, for both workers and customers.”

This vision is already taking shape. The academy is forging partnerships with colleges, schools, and community initiatives to reach the next generation of green talent. And Sean is constantly evolving the training on offer, ensuring it meets the demands of cutting-edge technologies like ground source heat pumps, EV chargers, and even concept boilers – electric boilers with a thermal store and a heat plate - which can be charged overnight.

Sean’s path to this role has been far from conventional. His career began in a small Yorkshire car garage, where he worked as an apprentice mechanic. From there he moved into a truly unexpected industry – crafting theme park attractions; from cowboy villages to log flumes and even dinosaur parks (yes, you read that right). “Talk about random,” Sean laughs, but every role has shaped his creative, problem-solving approach to work.

After years of self-employment and even dabbling in sunbed distribution, Sean found himself at E.ON through sheer coincidence. When he received an unexpected letter from E.ON, he assumed it was a mistake. It turns out his wife had secretly applied for a meter technician role on his behalf. Sean was ready to call and complain – until the truth came out. That twist of fate led to a journey where his passion for training people quickly became evident.

As academy manager, Sean has transformed the centre from the ground up, making it a cornerstone of E.ON’s mission to be a playmaker in achieving net-zero. The academy is E.ON’s flagship training centre in the UK, where engineers – both internal colleagues and external technicians – are trained to make the energy in our homes cleaner, greener, and more affordable. From smart meters, to electric vehicle (EV) chargers, solar panels and battery storage and air source heat pumps, the Academy covers it all.

Sean’s unstoppable work ethic, with an ingrained Yorkshire grit, has commercialised the academy’s offerings, turning it into a go-to training centre for colleges, schools, and corporate clients. His team delivers everything from technical awareness programmes to specialist training for large-scale projects such as the city of Coventry’s decarbonisation efforts.

“The Academy’s potential is limitless,” Sean says. “We’re preparing for a future where green skills are in high demand. I want to see the academy grow into a national network of training centres, equipping the next generation with the knowledge and confidence to lead the green energy transition.”

The academy’s partnership with Dudley College of Technology exemplifies Sean’s vision for collaboration and innovation. Together, they’ve built an on-campus net zero solutions hub, a state-of-the-art facility that offers hands-on training with the latest green technologies, including solar panels, EV chargers, and heat pumps. Not only does the centre reduce the college’s carbon footprint, but it also serves as a model for future collaborations across the country. Located just a few miles from E.ON’s own Net Zero Training Academy in Kingswinford, this partnership is already equipping T-Level students and apprentices with the skills to lead the green energy transition.

And this is just the start. Sean and his team are driving projects tied to Coventry City Council’s decarbonisation goals and the electrification of heat. The academy is also collaborating with E.ON’s green funding and innovation teams to test and implement revolutionary technologies like new EV chargers and concept boilers.

Though Sean describes himself as a natural introvert, over the years he’s trained everyone from small groups to audiences of a thousand, mastering turning complex technical knowledge into accessible, hands-on learning.

And Sean’s own experience as a petrolhead-turned-EV-advocate informs his work. Despite his packed schedule, he finds time to restore vintage motorbikes – a surprising twist for someone who now swears by his electric vehicle. “I was stubborn at first,” he admits, “but moving to an electric car made me realise how much education matters. That’s exactly what we’re doing here – helping people to understand and embrace change.”

Sean may not have planned to lead a team, but his passion for training and innovation has made him a driving force in E.ON’s journey to net-zero. And with his ambitious vision for the Academy, Sean’s journey is just getting started.