Career Paths
Green jobs come in many forms. From jobs in the renewables industry that never existed ten years ago, such as Wave power engineers, to traditional trades, such as electricians and plumbers, that now provide services to green energy initiatives.
Green jobs offer an exciting range of career paths where you can enjoy:
- Interesting and challenging work with excellent training
- Long-term careers that make a difference to the environment
- Careers offering good salaries and good progression opportunities
- The opportunity to travel as more countries seek the expertise being developed in Scotland.
Make sure you are on the right career path by exploring some of the available opportunities.
Are you ready to begin your journey and make a difference?
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Green Job: Meteorologist (Also known as Weather Forecaster)
Type of work: Meteorologists study atmospheric conditions like pressure, wind, humidity and cloud level. They collect data from observations, ships, radar and satellites, and use their findings to produce short and long term weather forecasts.
Salary range: £19,000 - £72,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Ecological Surveyor (Also known as Land Surveyor)
Type of work: Surveyors measure and plot the exact shape of land and the positions of features. The survey data will be used to produce plans for green projects.
Salary range: £20,000 -£39,500
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Environmental Consultant (Also known as Ecologist)
Type of work: Environmental Consultants study the relationships between animals, plants, people and their environment. They do fieldwork to collect data, and produce reports on their findings.and advise organisations to help them reduce damage to the environment.
Salary range: £25,500 - £42,000 a year
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Civil / Structural Engineer
Type of work: Civil engineers plan, design and manage construction projects such as wind farms, hydro power systems, waste management and water systems, and power stations.
Salary range: £26,000 - £44,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Fabrication Engineer
Type of work: Sheet metal workers work with metal sheets which they bend, cut and shape using hammers, small presses, roller machines and guillotines. They can be involved in the building of wind turbines and wave equipment.
Salary range: £310 - £420 a week
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Wind Resource Analyst (Also known as Wind Analyst)
Type of work: A Wind Resource Analyst/Wind Analyst is usually an experienced meteorologist, or engineer with meteorological or fluid mechanics background. A Wind Resource Analyst analyses meteorological data to estimate the projected wind output and consequently how much electricity will be produced at a particular site.
Salary range: £23,000 - £25,000. Senior Wind Analysts can earn up to £40,000.
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Wind Turbine Engineer & Technician (Also known as Mechanical Engineer)
Type of work: Wind Turbine Engineers apply their knowledge of fluid and solid mechanics, hydraulics, thermodynamics and materials to design and make and maintain components for wind turbines. Most Wind Turbine Engineers have trained as Mechanical or Electrical Engineers.
Salary range: £27,500 - £40,500
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Welder
Type of work: Welders join pieces of metal together by using intense heat. They are responsible for preparing the metal and looking after the tools that weld the metal together. They can be involved in the building of wind turbines and wave equipment.
Salary range: £310 - £400 a week
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Forestry Professional
Type of work: Foresters plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the development of woodlands and forests.
Salary range: £21,000 - £24,500
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Bio-mass Development Officer
Type of work: A Biomass Development Officer is responsible for the promotion and development of the biomass market in a particular region of Scotland. This may include preparing guidance materials, organising events or setting up customer advice services.
Salary range: £25,447
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Chemical Engineer
Type of work: Chemical engineers are concerned with the processes that cause changes in the chemical or physical composition of substances.
Salary range: £25,500 - £42,500
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Electrical / Power Engineer
Type of work: Electrical engineers are involved in the generation, supply and use of electricity.
Salary range: £21,500 - £42,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Electronics/ Instrumentation Engineer (Control Engineer)
Type of work: Control engineers research, design, develop and manage the equipment used to monitor and control a wide range of systems and machinery. They work on systems where precision is vital, for example, biomass energy plants.
Salary range: £22,000- £37,500
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
(Also known as Maintenance Fitter)
Green Job: Boiler Maintenance Technician (Also known as Maintenance Fitter)
Type of work: Maintenance fitters ensure that all equipment works properly. They diagnose faults and make repairs. They also carry out regular servicing and major overhauls.
Salary range: £350 - £530 a week
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Plumber
Type of work: Plumbers install, repair and maintain the water supply, drainage and central heating in houses and other locations.
Salary range: £350 - £500
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Marine Biologist
Type of work: Marine Biologists study plants and animals that live in the sea. They look at environmental damage and explore ways to make use of the sea’s resources.
Salary range: £21,000 - £42,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Marine Surveyor
Type of work: Marine Surveyors survey areas oceans and seas. The survey date may be used to draw marine charts, locate shipping routes or to help build coastal of offshore structures such as wind farms and wave energy machines.
Salary range: £20,000 - £39,500
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
(Also known as Offshore Engineer)
Green Job: Project Engineer (Also known as Offshore Engineer)
Type of work: Most Offshore engineers find economical and environmentally safe ways to extract oil and gas from natural reservoirs beneath the seabed. They design offshore installations and drilling equipment. Offshore Engineers are also involved in developing wave energy systems.
Salary range: £25,000 - £38,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Electrical / Electronic Engineer
Type of work: Electrical engineers are involved in the generation, supply and use of electricity.
Salary range: £21,500 - £42,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Mechanical Engineer
Type of work: Mechanical Engineers apply their knowledge of fluid and solid mechanics, hydraulics, thermodynamics and materials to design and make all types of machines and their components. They are involved in many industries, including renewable energy.
Salary range: £21,000 - £40,500
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Civil Engineer
Type of work: Civil engineers plan, design and manage construction projects such as wind farms, hydro power systems, waste management and water systems, and power stations.
Salary range: £26,000 - £44,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
(Also known as Maintenance Fitter)
Green Job: Maintenance Technician (Also known as Maintenance Fitter)
Type of work: Maintenance fitters ensure that all equipment works properly. They diagnose faults and make repairs. They also carry out regular servicing and major overhauls.
Salary range: £350 - £530 a week
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: CAD Technician (Also known as Electrical/Electronics Draughtsperson)
Type of work: A CAD technician uses computer aided design (CAD) systems to produce diagrams for making or converting products, machinery or other equipment. The items could be large, such as the framework of an oil rig, or small, such as the circuit in a silicon chip.
Salary range: £16,000 - £18,000 a year, rising to about £23,000 - £27,500. Higher earners can make over £33,000 a year.
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Systems Designer (Also known as Building Services Engineer)
Type of work: Building services engineers design building services such as lighting, heating, water supply, in buildings, including microrenewable sources of energy. They may also supervise the installation and operation of the services they have designed.
Salary range: £21,500 - £39,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Sales staff
Type of work: Sales managers plan and organise the work of a team of salespeople, within an agreed budget. They set sales targets for the team, and monitor the achievements of sales representatives.
Salary range: £20,000 - £30,500
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Plumber
Type of work: Plumbers install, repair and maintain the water supply, drainage and central heating in houses and other locations.
Salary range: £350 - £500 a week
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Electrician
Type of work: Electricians install and maintain electrical services such as lighting, power and heating. They work in a wide range of buildings including houses, offices, factories, hospitals and power stations.
Salary range: £280 - £520 a week
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Joiner
Type of work: Joiners make and install things out of wood, for example window frames and doors. They use a variety of hand tools and power tools to cut, shape and join the wood.
Salary range: 250- £440 per week
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Roofer
Type of work: Roofers cover roofs with materials such as tiles, slates or roofing felt. The work involves measuring roof areas and calculating the materials needed. Roofers use a variety of tools to carry out their work. They may work with others to install solar panels.
Salary range: £260 - £430 a week
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Environmental Consultant
Type of work: Environmental consultants give advice on environmental matters. They work on matters such as the effects of new developments on the environment, the control of pollution and noise, the effects of agriculture or recreation on plants and wildlife, the effect of climate change and the conservation of rare or protected species such as ospreys and bats.
Salary range: £20,500 - £25,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Heritage Manager
Type of work: Heritage managers are responsible for the conservation of, and all aspects of public access to, heritage sites. The range of sites includes: ancient monuments; historic buildings, including industrial sites such as former collieries; landscapes and gardens; museums.
Salary range: £23,000 - £55,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Energy Assessor
Type of work: From the end of 2008, whenever a domestic and commercial property is built or put up for sale or rent, it is necessary to have an Energy Performance Certificate. The Energy Performance Certificate will look broadly similar to a certificate on a refrigerator. Its purpose is to record, in a clear unambiguous format, how energy
efficient the building is.
Salary range: £18,000 - £25,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Air Quality Specialist
Type of work: An Air quality specialist will undertake air quality and noise measurement surveys. This could include the prediction/assessment of the impact on air quality resulting from construction sites, industrial sites and highways maintenance operations.
Salary range: £15,000 - £30,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Ecologist
Type of work: Ecologists study the complex and delicate relationships between animals, plants, people and their environment. They may manage a conservation area or give advice to organisations to help them reduce damage to the environment. Ecologists often do fieldwork to collect data, and produce reports on their findings.
Salary range: £21,000 - £42,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Environmental Planner
Type of work: The main purpose of planning is to make the best use of land and natural resources while conserving the environment. In particular planning to make towns and the countryside sustainable, getting enough houses where people need them and preparing for increasing demand for leisure.
Salary range: £23,000 - £35,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Green Job: Conservation Manager
Type of work: Conservation managers are responsible for managing, maintaining and developing areas of the countryside for use by the public. They are concerned with both the conservation and use of these areas.
Salary range: £21,500 - £34,000
Career Paths: Click to discover relevant qualifications and subjects at Step 4
Relevant qualification:
Degree: Meteorology | Maths | Computer Science | Physics
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Chemistry, Geography
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Accredited surveying degree
Relevant school subjects:
Geography, Maths, Physics, Technological Studies
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Ecology | Geography | Environmental Studies
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Technological Studies, Geography
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Relevant qualification:
NQ/HNC/HND: Civil or Structural Engineering
Modern Apprenticeship: SVQ Civil or Structural Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft & Design
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Relevant qualification:
Modern Apprenticeship: Engineering/ Fabrication
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft & Design
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Meteorology | Maths | Physics
Relevant school subjects:
Geography, Maths, Physics
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Engineering
NQ/ HNC/ HND: Engineering
Modern Apprenticeship: Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication
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Relevant qualification:
Modern Apprenticeship: SVQ Engineering/Welding
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft & Design, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft & Design
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Forestry | Geography | Environmental Science
NQ/HNC/HND: Forestry
Modern Apprenticeship: Forestry
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Technological Studies, Geography
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Forestry/Business Development/Timber Processing/Woodfuel Technology
Relevant school subjects:
Any
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Chemical Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Electrical Engineering
NQ/HNC/HND: Electrical Engineering
Modern Apprenticeship: Electrical Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft & Design
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Control Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Electronic Engineering | Systems Engineering
NQ/HNC/HND: Electrical Engineering | Control Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication
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(Also known as Maintenance Fitter)
Relevant qualification:
NQ/HNC/HND: Mechanical Engineering
Modern Apprenticeship: Mechanical Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft & Design
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Relevant qualification:
Modern Apprenticeship: Plumbing
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft & Design
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Marine Biology | Biology | Applied Biology | Biological Sciences
Relevant school subjects:
Relevant school subjects: Biology, Maths, Chemistry, Physics
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Marine and Coastal Resource Management | Marine Science | Oceanography | Geology | Geography
Relevant school subjects:
Geography Maths, Physics, Technological Studies
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Offshore Engineering
NQ/HNC/HND: Engineering, Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Electrical Engineering
NQ/HNC/HND: Electronic Engineering | Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Mechanical Engineering
NQ/HNC/HND: Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Accredited Civil Engineering | Structural Engineering
NQ/HNC/HND: Civil Engineering
Modern Apprenticeship: SVQ Civil Engineering | SVQ Structural Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design
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(Also known as Maintenance Fitter)
Relevant qualification:
NQ/HNC/HND: Engineering
Modern Apprenticeship: Engineering Maintenance
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design
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Relevant qualification:
NQ/HNC/HND: Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Building Services Engineering
NQ/HNC/HND: Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Systems Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design
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Relevant qualification:
NQ/HNC/HND: Consumer Studies
Modern Apprenticeship: Marketing | Sales
Relevant school subjects:
English, Accounting & Finance, Administration, Business Management, Economics
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Relevant qualification:
Modern Apprenticeship: Plumbing
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design
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Relevant qualification:
Modern Apprenticeship: Electrical Installation
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design
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Relevant qualification:
Modern Apprenticeship: Joinery
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design
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Relevant qualification:
Modern Apprenticeship: Roofing
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Physics, Technological Studies, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design
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Relevant qualification:
Degree: Environmental Science
Relevant school subjects:
Biology, Chemistry, English, Maths
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Relevant qualification:
Degrees: Archaeology | Countryside Management | Geography | Heritage or Museum Studies
Relevant school subjects:
English, Geography, History, Chemistry, Biology
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Relevant qualification:
There is no specific qualification required to become an Energy Assessor in Scotland, but you must be a member of a relevant professional organisation, e.g. Energy Institute, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
Relevant school subjects:
All
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Relevant qualification:
Degrees: Engineering | Science | Environmental Science | Pollution Control
Relevant school subjects:
Biology, Maths, Chemistry, Physics
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Relevant qualification:
Degrees: Ecology | Ecological Science | Environmental Management
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
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Relevant qualification:
Degrees: Environmental Science | Geography | Environment Planning
Relevant school subjects:
Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Geography
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Relevant qualification:
Degrees: Countryside Management | Rural Business Management | Rural Resource Management
Relevant school subjects:
Maths, Geography, Biology, Chemistry
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