The UK’s offshore wind workforce is projected to increase by 48% over the next five years, reaching 28,000 by 2030, according to new data released by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) on Monday.
The forecast, published through the ECITB’s Labour Forecasting Tool (LFT), highlights significant growth in engineering construction roles tied to the UK’s energy transition, particularly across renewables such as offshore wind, solar and hydrogen.
The offshore wind sector, in particular, is expected to drive job creation, as the UK moves to scale up low-carbon power generation to meet its net zero targets. The LFT also projects that the hydrogen workforce could grow by 195% to more than 4,500 jobs by 2030, while other renewables—including solar, biomass, and energy-from-waste—are set to see a 20% rise in workforce numbers, totalling over 5,800.
“The updates to the LFT reinforce the scale of the challenges facing the industry that were outlined in our workforce census report, which revealed that 81% of renewables employers in the ECI are experiencing challenges hiring workers,” said Andrew Hockey, chief executive of ECITB.
The ECITB Workforce Census 2024, which underpins the updated forecasts, provided a comprehensive overview of sector trends, including hiring pressures, regional workforce distribution, and upcoming skills gaps, particularly as the demand for project managers, commissioning technicians, design engineers and electrical technicians rises.
According to ECITB, peak demand for skilled workers across the energy construction sectors is now expected in 2030—two years later than previously forecast—due to project delays and a possible wave of retirements in key roles.
“We recognise that addressing skills shortages in these sectors requires a collaborative, multi-agency approach that includes employers, governments, training providers and the ECITB,” Hockey added. “By investing in the workforce, the industry has a fighting chance of closing the skills gap and ensuring it has the skilled workforce it needs both for now and the future.”
The ECITB’s findings underscore the need for long-term planning and investment in skills development to support the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy system.
