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UK energy sector needs 360,500 workers by 2032 as new jobs programme launches
10/11/2026
News
A new employment and training programme is being launched to help meet growing workforce demand across the energy and utilities sector, as studies forecast the need for thousands more workers by 2032 and suggest many green-skilled careers remain resistant to AI-driven automation.
A new sector entry programme is being launched to connect jobseekers with vacancies across the UK energy and utilities sector.
Led jointly by the Energy and Utility Skills Group and the Department for Work and Pensions, the initiative will support candidates into employment through a combination of training, work experience and recruitment support linked to confirmed vacancies.
More than 40,000 people will be needed in sector entry roles across energy and utilities, including supply chains, between now and 2032. The programme will fund up to 1,000 sector entrant opportunities in England between November 2026 and December 2027.
A typical sector entry programme lasts a minimum of 10 days and includes five days of industry-recognised training, three days of work experience, a day of interview preparation and a day for interviews. Every candidate taking part receives a guaranteed job interview.
Energy and utilities sector needs 360,500 people by 2032
The launch comes as the sector prepares for a significant increase in workforce demand over the coming decade. A recent report from the Energy and Utility Skills Group found the sector will need 360,500 people between 2026 and 2032. It forecasts 246,200 additional jobs and 114,300 retirements, with the workforce expected to grow by 36% from 676,100 people in 2025 to 922,400 by 2032, reflecting major infrastructure investment and the deployment of new technologies.
The report finds that demand is front-loaded, with 74,200 people required in 2026, 61,400 in 2027 and 51,400 in 2028. Some apprenticeship routes take three years or more, making early recruitment and training decisions essential. The report recommends increased investment in apprenticeship development, sector entry programmes and greater collaboration across the sector to help meet future workforce demand.
The report also highlights the growing impact of AI, automation and digital technologies on the workforce. While new tools could improve productivity and change how some work is delivered, it suggests technology is more likely to augment workers' roles than replace them across many engineering and operational roles.
The report says continued investment in workforce training and skills development will remain essential, with employers encouraged to develop people and technology together while maintaining safety, competence and accountability.
Some 96% of green apprenticeships lead to careers resistant to AI substitution
The role of AI in shaping future employment is also explored in separate research commissioned by Futurra Solutions Union and the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit. The study suggests many green-skilled jobs are likely to remain resilient in an increasingly automated economy.
It finds that 96% of apprenticeships linked to green careers lead to jobs that are comparatively resistant to AI substitution, compared with around three quarters (73%) of apprenticeships overall. Roles such as electricians, plumbers, heat pump installers and engineering technicians were identified as among those most likely to require practical, hands-on skills that are difficult to automate.
According to the report, around 60% of existing apprenticeships in England are associated with occupations that contribute to reducing emissions, adapting to climate change or supporting environmental sustainability.
