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Europe has set ambitious objectives in its energy transition, but the continent risks not having the workforce to make it happen
The risk of a widening skills gap in the energy transition is one of the most underestimated challenges for the global energy transition. But as Europe moves to install more solar panels, heat pumps, and EV charging points, electrical contractors will be in increasing demand.
The lack of skilled workers and electrical installers is starting to be felt in Europe: in Germany, 60% of electrical contractors have vacancies. While in the UK, electrical contractors will need 15,000 new apprentices, in addition to regular market intake, to cover its needs over the next five years. There are several reasons why this is happening, from the perception that these are low-level positions to the lack of women in this sector.
In this episode, we speak with Julie Beaufils, Secretary General at the European Electrical Contractors’ Association EuropeOn, on why addressing this skills gap matters and how EU policies can bridge that. Julie is in charge of the Skills4Climate campaign, raising awareness of the shortages in skilled professionals, an issue that will considerably weigh on Europe’s ability to deliver the energy transition.
Enjoy the show!
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Julie Beaufils
Michaela Holl
Jan Rosenow
David Weston
Anna Gumbau
@WattMattersPod
FORESIGHT Climate & Energy
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Illustration: Masha Krasnova-Shabaeva. Art director: Trine Natskår.
Show notes:
The lack of skilled workers in renewable energy jobs is one of the most underestimated barriers to the global energy transition. The industry is struggling to find talent, while educational institutions are failing to keep up with such a fast-evolving environment
On International Women’s Day, FORESIGHT looks at the gender gap in the energy sector and why more women could boost the transition to a renewable energy economy
Even if many cities are finding it a challenge to meet decarbonisation targets, they have made progress over the last decade and are becoming increasingly ambitious
This week, Jan, Michaela and David are joined by Claudia Kemfert, professor of energy economics and energy policy at the German Institute for Economic Research and Leuphana University to discuss how Germany's new government, and its economy, are tackling the energy transition.
Two of the European Union’s (EU) main energy laws are in the process of being updated. Despite the fundamental role they play in decarbonisation efforts, the rules have so far failed to live up to climate expectations. This is set to change
Sudden spikes in the cost of energy have pushed energy efficiency higher up the public and political agenda. Building renovations can be costly, but there could be ways of making energy efficiency itself more efficient
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