Learning at Work Week runs from the 15th to the 21st of May 2023, and the theme this year is ‘Create the Future’.

The three strands for learning are ‘Think Future’, ‘Future Fit’ and ‘Future Skills’. All strands are designed to explore how lifelong learning at work can help us individually and collectively create better futures.

This year’s theme ‘Create the Future’ couldn’t be more relevant for the energy efficiency industry, given the skills gap and focus on the green job agenda.

Learning at Work Week is a great platform to shine a spotlight on how we can help shape a learning culture that will develop the future skills for our future workforce to deliver the work of the energy efficiency industry.

The Energy Efficiency Industry: Future Fit and Future Skills

With an ambitious government target to achieve net zero by 2050, millions struggling to afford to heat their homes due to the energy bill crisis, and an urgent need to combat climate change, the demand for energy-saving measures is rising.

Do we have the workforce with the required green skills to deliver these green measures at a larger scale due to demand? The answer is no.

The challenge the industry faces is bridging the skills gap and attracting new talent to a thriving industry.

The UK government wants to support 2 million green jobs by 2030. To help achieve this, they launched a Green Jobs Taskforce to set the direction for the job market, as we transition to a high-skill, low-carbon economy.

Did you know? The number of green jobs advertised in the UK has doubled in the last 12 months.

How do we create the future for the industry? This will be partly due to education and raising awareness.

Dyson Energy Services is committed to raising awareness of the energy-saving work the industry delivers and educating younger people on the scale of the green career opportunities within it. One route is through engagement with colleges and students taking Construction, Plumbing, and Electrical courses.

Ian Morrall, Managing Director at Dyson Energy Services, said, “It is important that businesses like us invest the time to prepare students for the world of work, educate on industry and help build confidence in students to empower them to make good career choices.”

Making the industry an attractive proposition through Apprenticeships

Currently, there are no apprenticeships in insulation and building treatments in England.

The Installation Assurance Authority (IAA) and the Insulated Render and Cladding Association (INCA) are working with employers from across the energy efficiency industry to develop an apprenticeship scheme for Insulation Installers and Building Treatment Technicians.

It has been identified that there is a real need for a recognised apprenticeship that will equip new entrants to the industry with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to build a successful career. The IAA is passionate about providing a much-needed entry route into the sector via colleges and training providers.

Nigel Donohue, the CEO of the IAA said, ‘We are delighted that organisations such as Dyson Energy Services have already committed to supporting development of the standards and investing in future apprenticeships.”

 

Michael Morrall, Director of Operations at Dyson Energy Services, said, “The national skills gap is a challenge across the whole industry. Given our growing order book and rising demand for our services, playing our part in overcoming these challenges is a key priority for Dyson Energy Services. That’s why we are proud to be supporting the development of the apprenticeship scheme being undertaken by The IAA in partnership with INCA. We are confident that this future scheme will attract younger people into this vital industry.”