ScottishPower has stressed the need for a new generation of engineers in the energy sector to avoid a skill gap.
It said the energy industry was set to change drastically in the coming years, as new technologies designed to reduce carbon emissions were introduced into the production and distribution of electricity.
ScottishPower said yesterday that this came at a time when four out of five energy industry workers were due to retire over the next 15 years.
It is estimated that £200billion will be invested in energy infrastructure in the UK by 2020.
This will include an expansion in renewable energy projects, such as wind, wave and tidal schemes.
It will also see the development of carbon-capture and storage, to reduce emissions from traditional power plants, and “smart grid” programmes, to modernise and improve the efficiency of the electricity network.
The energy industry is said to be working hard to establish relationships with schools, colleges and universities to help encourage and inspire the next generation of engineers.
ScottishPower says it works with a range of age groups to help promote careers in the sector at all levels.
Through parent Iberdrola, it also promotes a scholarship programme to help to address the emerging needs and skills of the energy industry.
Frank Mitchell, director of ScottishPower Energy Networks, said: “The energy sector is investing billions of pounds to modernise infrastructure and to reduce carbon emissions in the coming years. We are also investing heavily in the people who will be needed to deliver this work.
“With many of our current engineers due to retire in the next few decades, there is a potential skill gap emerging in this sector.
“ScottishPower is at the forefront of many of the new developments in sustainable engineering and we are working closely with educational establishments to promote the career opportunities in our industry. Scotland and the UK has a proud history of leading the world in engineering innovation and we want to encourage younger generations to take up relevant courses and grasp the opportunities that will be available as we move to a low-carbon economy.”
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