Climate action remains the driving force behind young energy professionals entering the energy sector. Results of the Future Energy Leaders survey, conducted by the Young Energy Professionals (YEP) Forum, reveals that early career professionals are eager to take on the challenge of tackling climate change – but can face significant barriers, including unclear career pathways and perceptions of limited regional job opportunities.
Alongside this, the survey found that 87% of YEPs plan to stay in the energy sector for the next five years, with 89% stating the industry met or exceeded their expectations. Yet, while the energy industry has much to offer, unlocking its full potential means addressing the variety of barriers young professionals can face.
YEPs outside of London are 1.5 times more likely to see location as a roadblock to entering the sector – a signal that coordinated, targeted strategies are required to make Net Zero career pathways clear, visible and accessible across the UK.
The UK’s transition to Net Zero will require up to 725,000 new workers by 2050. Meeting this challenge head-on requires continued collaboration between Government and industry to utilise existing workforce mapping which shows where and when jobs will be needed. The Office for Clean Energy Jobs and Skills England should ensure coordination between government, industry and skills bodies such as Energy and Utility Skills which has already undertaken detailed workforce projections based on current Government policy and ambition.
The survey underlines how vital it is to deliver a proactive approach to recruitment, training and retention, which are pivotal to both delivering on the Government’s 2030 clean power targets and closing the growing green skills gap.
2050 is only 25 years away, and those joining the sector today will lead the transition to Net Zero in the final decades of delivery. Their actions, expertise, and commitment will ensure that the journey to Net Zero is innovative, inclusive, and resilient to shape a sustainable future for generations to come.
Dhara Vyas, Energy UK’s Chief Executive, said:
“The transition to Net Zero is about more than emerging technologies and grid connections – it’s also about people. Climate action is the core reason young professionals are choosing careers in energy, and that is a powerful motivator. The skills gap isn’t just a challenge – it is an opportunity to bring green, high-quality jobs to communities across the UK.
“Young professionals are eager to contribute, but we must break down barriers to entry, support clear career paths, and deliver purpose-driven, rewarding roles that boost retention and drive regional growth.”
Yumann Siddiq, Chair of the YEP Forum, said:
“Our sector offers incredible opportunities for growth and impact, but it’s clear there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to building and retaining the talent we need for Net Zero. The emerging skills gap is significant, but it also presents enormous opportunity to deliver good green jobs throughout our society.
“YEPs are uniquely placed to share their insight on how to make these jobs sustainable, fulfilling and rewarding. By recognising and addressing unique barriers, from regional job access to personalised career pathways, we can create an environment where young energy professionals thrive and make a lasting difference.”
Polly Billington MP, Co-Chair of The Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group (PRASEG), said:
“As Chair of PRASEG, I am very impressed by this new and insightful YEP Forum Future Energy Leaders Report. This report brings crucial insights from young professionals on closing the green skills gap, expanding job opportunities across all regions, and creating clear career paths in the energy sector. It also highlights the need for stronger collaboration between government, industry, and education to align training with real market demands.
“The YEP Forum is an essential voice for the next generation of energy leaders, whose perspectives are key to building an inclusive, prepared workforce to lead the UK to Net Zero. As Chair of the APPG that represents the major themes of this sector in Parliament, I will ensure the voices of young leaders always have a place at the table.”
Notes to editors
- The YEP Forum was established in 2013 as a platform to support individuals with less than ten years of experience in the industry opportunities to connect with others, develop their skills and inspire others working in energy. With over 2,500 members, from analysts to engineers, from over 350 organisations, the YEP Forum extends across the whole industry.
- Energy UK is the trade association for the energy industry with over 100 members – from established FTSE 100 companies right through to new, growing suppliers, generators and service providers across energy, transport, heat and technology. Our members deliver nearly 80% of the UK’s power generation and over 95% of the energy supply for 28 million UK homes as well as businesses. The sector invests £13bn annually and delivers nearly £30bn in gross value – on top of the nearly £100bn in economic activity through its supply chain and interaction with other sectors. The energy industry is key to delivering growth and plans to invest £100bn over the course of this decade in new energy sources. The energy sector supports 700,000 jobs in every corner of the country. Energy UK plays a key role in ensuring we attract and retain a diverse workforce. In addition to our Young Energy Professionals Forum, which has over 2,000 members representing over 350 organisations, we are a founding member of TIDE, an industry-wide taskforce to tackle Inclusion and Diversity across energy.