The Path is Green

The Path is Green (tp:g) is a new initiative from Careers Scotland that aims to help individuals explore a wide range of green jobs and provide assistance to help them learn more about the skills and qualifications for getting started in their chosen career.

The Scottish Government has set a target to meet 50% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020. This is just part of the reason why in the next 10 to 15 years Scotland will see the creation of up to 50,000 green jobs.

Green jobs come in many forms. From jobs in the renewables industry that never existed ten years ago, such as wave power engineers, to traditional trades, such as electricians and plumbers, that now provide services to green energy initiatives.

Ensuring that Scotland can benefit from the opportunity offered by the emergence of green jobs will require people with the right skills in the key areas of the green economy:

• Wind
• Bio-mass
• Water/Hydro/Marine
• Micro renewables
• Conservation, Ecology and Sustainability

Some renewable companies are reporting skills shortages, particularly in engineering, again highlighting the importance of having the right people with the right skills if Scotland is to become a world leader.

In line with the predicted growth in this sector The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) has recently announced that a new National Skills Academy for Power has been given the go-ahead to help the industry tackle skills shortages both now and in the future.

Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills), said: " It is crucial for the future of the Power Sector that we set up this Skills Academy to constantly evolve training to ensure it remains relevant despite advancements in technology, such as the developments in renewable energies."

If you offer training in this sector now is the time to make sure your learning opportunities are listed on the national learning opportunities database (NLOD) and visible to learners and employers on our websites. Contact the Information Services team on 0141 285 6100 or email info.services@sds.co.uk for more details.

For further information on tp:g please go to www.careers-scotland.org.uk/GreenJobs

Details on the Sector Skills Councils involved can be found in the Contacts section on Provider Central.