Jobs in pipeline as Scottish power generator SSE looks to plug skills gap

SSE, the Perth-headquartered energy provider, has launched a pilot jobs programme at it looks to help plug the industry skills gap and “bolster the race to net zero”.

FTSE-100 group has become a major generator of green energy such as wind power.

The FTSE-100 group, which is focused on green power generation after selling its household energy supply business, has teamed up with STEM Returners to support people who have taken a career break or are looking to return to the sector.

The 12-week programme will help people with the requisite skills restart their career and all returners who take part will have the opportunity to gain a full-time position with the company.

SSE estimates that the wider energy industry will need to recruit some 200,000 people in the next decade. The firm has already announced more than 1,000 additional jobs since June as part of a £7.5 billion investment programme over the next five years to spur a green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

John Stewart, director of human resources at SSE, said: “The energy industry was facing a skills gap before the coronavirus took hold and now with real momentum to build a cleaner, more resilient recovery from the economic impact of coronavirus and reach net zero, the industry will need to recruit thousands more green jobs for the future.

“These are skilled, sustainable roles which will benefit the UK regions; we’ll be building the world’s biggest offshore wind farm off the coast of Yorkshire, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm off the coast of Moray and two huge projects on Shetland, not to mention the raft of opportunities that exist across many other areas of our business.

“This scheme will help us support people already skilled in STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] industries, back into work where they are very much needed. In a difficult jobs market, the energy sector is providing some much-needed good news for long-term career prospects in all areas across the UK and Ireland.”

Natalie Desty, director and founder of the STEM Returners programme, said: “There are lots of initiatives to cater to the next generation of STEM workers, but the Returners programme is aimed specifically at those wishing to go back to engineering mid-career.

“To get the opportunity to work with an industry leader like SSE is fantastic and their commitment to workplace diversity is something that should give all engineers heart during what has been a difficult period for the industry.”

SSE already recruits some 100 apprentices and trainees into the sector every year and is also recruiting more than 50 graduates for its development programme with roles in electrical, mechanical and civil engineering, IT, cyber security and other related disciplines.

In July, SSE said it will push ahead with plans to invest £7.5bn in low carbon projects over the next five years, despite warning that its profits could take a £250 million hit from the coronavirus crisis. The group said it expects the pandemic to cost the company between £150m and £250m in the current financial year. It said the impact of the virus on its operating profit has been “in line with expectations” over the past three months.

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