Grow your career by switching to an eco-job with our guide to going green

WANT to grow your career? Then go green.

The move towards Net Zero has sparked an eco hiring boom, with the number of jobs in the sector soaring 677 per cent in four years.

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Green jobs aren’t just climate scientists or forest rangers but any role which has an impact on sustainability and carbon reduction.

That includes energy advisors, retrofit assessors, solar roofers or EV charge point installers.

Four in ten firms are set to increase their eco opportunities, with 84 per cent saying they are reaping the benefits of sustainability initiatives, according to jobs board Totaljobs.

The study also found nine in ten employees believe their employer has a responsibility to help the environment, and 61 per cent of under-40s would quit a firm or not apply for a job with a company whose products damage the planet.

Experts estimate the UK green sector is growing around four times faster than any others, with plenty of entry-level jobs offering a starting salary of £28,000, and no degree required.

The Government has set out plans to support 190,000 green jobs across the UK by 2025 and 480,000 well-paid roles in green industries by 2030.

But with just 17 per cent of UK businesses offering eco training, it’s vital to choose a firm which can support your future career.

Robert Halfon, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, said: “Green industries are thriving nationwide, and there are a huge range of free training options available to help more people climb the ladder of opportunity into rewarding jobs.”

Next week is Green Careers Week, so here is the Sunemployment guide to going green with the most popular jobs.

HEAT PUMP INSTALLERS: THE first heat pump apprenticeship, the Low-Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship, has received government funding.

The UK needs 57,000 qualified heat pump installers by the end of the decade.

Bean Beanland from the Heat Pump Federation said: “A career in heat pump technologies is going to be both secure and sustainably rewarding on every level.”

Apply at tinyurl.com/mtdf5dht.

ZERO CARBON LIVING ADVISORS: SUPPORT customers to decarbonise their home.

Ovo is hiring for 700 jobs at careers.ovo.com/zero-carbon-living-advisor/4835709.

Charlotte Eaton, chief people officer at OVO, said: “We’re passionate about supporting and inspiring more diverse talent to pursue careers that directly impact the climate crisis.”

SMART ENERGY EXPERTS: HELP households use less energy to cut bills and save the planet.

Smart energy specialist Utilita is hiring smart meter engineers and renewable heating designers at utilita.co.uk/careers.

Centrica has roles for Smart Energy Experts at centrica.com/careers.

CLEAN ENERGY SPECIALISTS: GOOD Energy is hiring for a range of jobs in renewables. See goodenergy.co.uk/about-us/careers.

Ecotricity has jobs at jobs. ecotricity.co.uk/about-us.aspx.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE TECHNICIANS: VEOLIA has set up the first approved technician training scheme for electric vehicles with Autotech Training to meet the shortfall of 16,000 qualified technicians.

Veolia’s Gary Clark said: “You can’t have a zero emission fleet without electric vehicle technicians to keep them running.”

Apply at veolia.co.uk/careers.

‘Take skill anywhere’

JOEL Taylor is one of the first technicians to complete the new electric vehicle training.

The 28-year-old workshop supervisor for Veolia’s electric HGV fleet said: “It’s the perfect time to come into the industry.

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“Everyone is looking to decarbonise so you have to upskill or you’ll be left behind.”

Joel, from Chiswick, West London, added: “There is a perception that technicians and mechanics are practical people, but you have to be bright and willing to learn to make it.

“It’s a skill that can take you anywhere – you’ll have internationally recognised qualifications and can work in almost any sector.”

CAREER NOT A MYSTERY

HELP to save the planet with a green job.

Here Mat Ilic, co-founder of talent portal Greenworkx.org, busts the main myths around eco employment.

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He said: “With over 30million green jobs needing to be filled globally by 2030, there is an enormous opportunity for jobseekers.”

1. Don’t be put off by the confusing titles: There is often a lot of jargon used to describe green jobs. Do some research and ask questions about what these roles really entail before deciding which could be the right fit.
2. You may already have the skills for the job: Many jobs available offer on-the-job training, and also value a whole range of transferable skills that people may already have, such as customer service or data entry.
3. You don’t need to spend a lot of money retraining: There are publicly funded courses available and many entry-level courses at low or no cost for those keen to upskill. Check out your local further education college or adult learning service.
4. Get some experience through shadowing: Join your local renewables installation company and see what the “day in the life of” actually involves – and they will no doubt appreciate an extra pair of hands.
5. Get help from the experts: Find out more at greencareersweek.com.

PLUG IN TO NEW ROLE

GREEN skills help you land work faster, whatever your job.

A LinkedIn report found the hiring rate for workers with these abilities is 29 per cent higher than average.

Positions requiring them now make up a third of all listings.

Three of the ten fastest-growing roles on LinkedIn are eco-related jobs, including sustainability analysts, specialists and managers.

A LinkedIn spokeswoman said: “Amid an historic reimagining of the future of work, we’re faced with an urgent need to transition to a green economy to address the threat of climate change.”

REFIT FOR FUTURE

GET into a green career at low or no cost with one of the Government’s new training schemes.

There are 8,000 free places to train as retrofitters and insulation installers on the Home Decarbonisation Skills Training scheme.

A further 4,000 trainees will receive £500 discount on training to install and maintain heat networks.

Find your local scheme at tinyurl.com/4d4vjpps.

There are also free Skills Bootcamps available in electric vehicle charging, green heating technology, and smart meter installation, with an offer of a job interview with an employer on completion of the course.

See gov.uk/guidance/find-a-skills-bootcamp.

ENERGY BOOSTER

NET yourself a Net Zero job. Some of the UK’s energy firms have set up Net Zero Academies to train staff in eco technologies.

E.On’s net zero training academy, in Kingswinford, West Mids, specialises in “green collar jobs” including solar panel installers and battery experts, training 800 people a year.

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The company also has jobs in its Green Funding Solutions Team, delivering energy efficiency support.

Gill Baker, director of Smart Field Connections, said: “We all need energy in every part of our lives and demand is growing.

“But we need to ensure energy comes from cleaner sources, so we aren’t damaging our planet and polluting the air in our streets.”

Apply at eon.com/en/about-us/careers.html.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk