Case study - REpower
The renewables sector in Scotland is expanding so quickly that some businesses are finding it difficult to find staff with suitable qualifications.
As the Managing Director of onshore and offshore wind turbine manufacturer REpower UK Ltd, Henning von Barsewisch is well aware of the recruitment problems the industry is facing.
REpower is currently looking to take on a range of new staff as a result of continued expansion, with vacant positions including Business Development Manager, Project Manager, Electrical Engineer, Project Controller, Service Engineer and Service Manager.
Henning says: "Particularly in the field of engineering, there are not enough qualified people to satisfy every sector and that is having a significant impact on the ability of renewables to grow.
"REpower UK has experienced this first hand and we are investing a great deal of time, including working closely with Heriot Watt and Strathclyde Universities, to highlight the excellent career opportunities."
Henning is also a member of the board of the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA), and he is working to help the renewables industry meet the staffing challenge head on.
He is chairing a working group on skills and education which aims to address the current skills gap and help companies to fill positions. The group has also commissioned new research into staff shortages which it hopes will suggest new approaches to promoting the wide range of opportunities in the sector.
Henning says: "As an industry we are offering exciting, purposeful careers with good salaries and we need to encourage wider interest, especially among young people.
"We are fortunate that the renewables industry offers meaningful jobs – what could be more rewarding than dedicating your career to making the environment more sustainable?
"However, if Scotland is to fully realise the potential of its natural resources, urgent action must be taken to solve the skills gap; only then will we benefit our environment and our economy."