Government launches £6.5m renewable skills investment

01 September 2011

Posted by Michelle Devonshire

Engineering skills in the UK's renewable power sector will receive a £6.5 billion boost from new Government plans to invest in talented individuals.

Under the plans revealed by Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, the intention is to create a new generation of leaders in the industry by providing training for the best people through an Industrial Doctorate Centre in Offshore Renewable Energy.

Speaking during a visit to Edinburgh University, one of the institutions involved in the project, the minister explained: "These students will have the chance to work with some of the leading energy companies based here and tackle one of our biggest challenges – developing technology for a greener future."

The scheme will involve industry partners such as Shell, Rolls-Royce and EDF Energy, as well as universities, in order to provide practical experience alongside skills development.

Innovative technologies participants are expected to work on include enhancing the efficiency of windmill blades and carrying out wave power testing.

In related news, Barclays bank recently unveiled a new £100 million renewable energy fund targeted at farmers in the UK in response to growing interest in green solutions from the agricultural community.