Labour market insights: Green opportunities in Yorkshire and Humberside

Labour market insights: Green opportunities in Yorkshire and Humberside 

Our latest research explores how the net zero revolution is creating and reshaping engineering opportunities across Yorkshire and the Humber. 

The region has been an important part of the UK’s industrial tapestry for centuries, traditionally known for coal mining, steel production and textile manufacturing. Today, as we move into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Yorkshire and the Humber are among the regions leading the way in the renewable energy sector – the Humber being dubbed the UK’s Energy Estuary – with a strong focus on offshore wind power.

In our report, published in The Engineer, we looked at traditional skills that have contributed to the region’s historic success, the current demand for engineering jobs, and how the area can reinvent itself for the renewable energy era.

Key findings

Using job posting analytics data and detailed keyword searches, we examined the demand for renewable-related roles in Yorkshire and the Humber, uncovering some interesting insights.

From the data, it is evident that job roles in the renewable sector are witnessing a remarkable surge in demand. While many will be familiar with the strength of the region’s renewable energy sector, the scale of change is of particular note: since 2019, there has been more than a 500% increase in renewable-related jobs in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Another key finding was the nature of advertised jobs. Alongside renewable-focused positions – sustainability managers and carbon analysts, for example – renewable energy companies continue to seek traditional skills, such as electrical engineers and mechanical design engineers. The two most in-demand roles in our dataset were mechanical design engineers (85% of job postings) and sustainability consultants (83%).

What it means for employers

As Yorkshire and the Humber navigate the transition to a renewable energy-focused economy, it is vital to both preserve and evolve the region’s skills base. While traditional roles continue to be important, there is a need for skills in areas such as aerodynamics, robotics and composite materials, too.

By leveraging Enginuity’s rich data and expert analysis, employers in the renewable energy sector can gain a deeper understanding of the specific skills required to prepare their workforce for the challenges ahead. Enginuity’s purpose-built Skills Framework is a useful resource for identifying such skills and their associated jobs.

The integration of T Levels, apprenticeships and specialised degree programmes will be instrumental in this transition period and beyond. Equally important is the commitment from employers to invest in upskilling their workforce – ensuring the region remains at the forefront of the UK’s industrial and energy production landscape.