Renewables and Hydrogen Workforce Set to Surge in the Engineering Construction Industry
Key Ideas
  • ECITB's research forecasts significant growth in the engineering construction industry workforce, particularly in renewables, hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage sectors by 2030.
  • Key roles in demand include design engineers, project managers, project controllers, commissioning technicians, and various technical and mechanical positions.
  • The ECITB's Labour Forecasting Tool was used to analyze workforce numbers and trends, addressing challenges in hiring workers and skills shortages in the industry.
  • Industry stakeholders are urged to collaborate to attract new talent, upskill current workers, and bridge the skills gap for the future of the industry.
The latest research from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) projects a significant surge in the engineering construction industry (ECI) workforce focused on renewables, hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage. By 2030, the offshore wind workforce is expected to grow by 48% to over 28,000, while the carbon capture and storage sector could see a 144% increase to more than 3,750 workers. Additionally, the hydrogen workforce is forecasted to grow by 195% to exceed 4,500 employees. The study also accounts for growth in other renewable sectors such as onshore wind, solar, biomass, energy from waste, and biofuels, with a predicted 20% increase to over 5,800 workers. Key roles in high demand across these sectors include design engineers, project managers, technicians, operatives, and various technical positions. The analysis leveraged the ECITB's Labour Forecasting Tool (LFT) to assess workforce numbers and trends, highlighting challenges in hiring and skills shortages. The tool, updated with data from the ECITB 2024 Workforce Census and project timescales, indicates a substantial demand for workers in the carbon capture and hydrogen sectors. The ECITB emphasizes the need for industry-wide collaboration to attract new talent, provide training, and enhance the skills of existing workers. By investing in the workforce, the industry aims to address the skills gap and ensure a proficient workforce for current and future requirements.
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