A new drive has begun to help former armed forces members and their families build careers in clean energy across the Humber, Lincolnshire and East Anglia.
The Mission Renewable Armed Forces Clean Energy Initiative aims to open doors to jobs in industries such as offshore wind, solar and nuclear.
Run by the armed forces charity Mission Community with support from RenewableUK and the Government, the one-year pilot begins later this year. It will identify specific roles suited to service leavers and tackle barriers that stop them entering the sector.
RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Jane Cooper, who co-chairs the joint Government and industry body behind the project, called it a “tangible example of the Clean Energy Jobs Plan in action”.
She said the lessons from the pilot will guide future policy on employing veterans in the energy transition.
The launch comes alongside the Government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan which aims to create over 400,000 jobs by 2030. The initiative will focus on regions already home to major renewable developments to make use of local expertise and supply chains.
Cooper said the industry needs people with the skills to design, build and operate the fast-growing pipeline of green energy projects. “Former members of the armed forces are ideally placed to fill these roles,” she said, pointing to their teamwork, discipline and technical ability.
Mission Renewable has already worked nationally with RenewableUK and the Offshore Wind Industry Council to help ex-service personnel and families move into the renewables workforce.
Between 10% and 20% of workers in the sector already have a service background.
The new regional focus marks a first. It will also encourage energy companies to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging to support veterans and those injured on active duty as they move into civilian life.
Lieutenant General Richard Nugee, chairman of Mission Community, said linking veterans with clean energy careers benefits everyone. “Companies gain skilled, committed staff. Veterans and their families gain stability and pride. The country gains from their continued service in building the clean energy future we all need.”
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