Green jobs will supercharge career opportunities in the Highlands

Green jobs and skills are a lynchpin of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and are essential to delivering our vision to place the Highlands at the heart of the energy revolution. But what are green jobs, and what career opportunities are associated with them? Read our Q&A session with Alli Vass, Manager of The Powerhouse, to learn about the skills that will be in demand and what path your future career might take.

Q: What is a green job?

A: Green jobs cover a very broad spectrum of skills and sectors but essentially, it’s one that in some way preserves or restores the environment. That can mean working in industries that are tackling climate change – like offshore wind or hydrogen – or working in the supply chain supporting these sectors, for example at the Sumitomo Electric UK factory at Port of Nigg which will produce subsea cables. There are also roles in industries like agriculture and biodiversity that fall in the green jobs category.

If you have a green job, it doesn’t mean that you will be working at the coal face, for example, working as a technician maintaining wind turbines or an engineer developing hydrogen plants. You could be working in an office environment doing something like accounts, business development and sales, logistics or stakeholder relations.

Q: What types of skills do people need for green jobs?

A: The list is endless! Scotland wants to reduce the amount of carbon emissions being produced and become net zero by 2045. It’s an ambitious target and it will require lots of different skills, knowledge and abilities – diversity will be the key to success so it’s important to think beyond STEM subjects. Science and maths will be important for those who want to pursue jobs in engineering; IT and computing are needed for data analysts; and those looking at roles in areas like HR, accountancy and legal could benefit from studying subjects like English, maths and social sciences.

Check out websites like Skills Development Scotland,  DYW Scotland and the National Careers Service to get advice and guidance. Places like the University of the Highlands and Islands can also provide information about the qualifications needed to join different courses.  The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council is a great place to find out more about jobs in the offshore wind sector.

Q: How can I get a green job?

A: The route to employment in this sector is as varied as the skills needed. The businesses that already exist within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport area and those that will locate here in future need people of different stages, experience and abilities.

Most people setting out on their career typically look for entry level positions which allow them to develop on the job. In general, entry level positions don’t require any specific skills beyond a willingness to learn on the job. Often, people who start out in unskilled roles get promoted as they develop their knowledge and understanding, taking on more responsibilities and expanding their skill set.

There are also options to pursue Modern Apprenticeships or traineeships, which often involve studying as well as learning on the job. As of March 2024, some 2,238 Modern Apprentices were in training across the Highlands. Many organisations will recruit at Graduate Apprenticeship level too, with special roles for those studying at university.

And, of course, there are also opportunities for people who are already working to get jobs in green industries. Think about skills that could be transferred from one industry to another – for example, if you have been a civil engineer working in transportation infrastructure, you would have the skills needed to support companies involved in electricity distribution.

In future, the green freeport will bring in significant funding through employer National Insurance contributions that will be directed towards a Skills and Innovation Fund. This fund will help support local talent, training programmes and apprenticeships tailored to future industries.

Q: What green jobs are available in the Highlands?

 

A: Businesses operating at the green freeport’s tax sites at Inverness, Cromarty Firth and Ardersier are often recruiting, but many vacancies will be available indirectly through the supply chain.

For example, Port of Cromarty Firth is making a significant investment in new facilities that will encourage more offshore wind developers to use the port. It’s expected that up to 320 roles will be needed – engineers, construction specialists, planners, support staff and so on – during the construction phase. Once it’s operational, the new facility could support up to 1,000 jobs in the construction, installation and operational support of offshore wind projects, which will need crane operators, marine engineers and crew members for vessels towing the turbines out to sea.

Although the green freeport is focused on green jobs, investment in these sectors will cause a ripple effect across a wider pool of industries. With more people living and working in the Highlands, there will be a greater need for housing and other local facilities, so more manpower will be needed for housebuilding and construction – think builders, electricians, bricklayers, decorators, joiners and gardeners. When they are not working, people will want to enjoy activities and days out, so places like restaurants, leisure centres, shops and cafes will be busier and need more staff.

Q: Are green jobs well paid?

A: A report by the think tank Onward estimated that jobs linked to net zero have a median gross annual income of £37,190 for full-time employees, which is 18% higher than the national average and 30% higher than jobs in carbon-intensive industries. That means that, with the right training and qualifications, people in green jobs can expect to earn £1.30 for every £1 earnt by someone working in a carbon-intensive job.

According to UK Government statistics, there are fewer young people in the Highlands working in higher professional jobs than in any other part of the country. The green freeport aims to change this statistic by opening up a much broader range of employment opportunities, with the chance to grow sills and long-term, well-paid careers.

Q: Is there a long-term future for green jobs?

Yes. Renewables are the future of energy and will be a key driver of global ambitions to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. But that sector can only grow if more people work in green jobs.

Offshore wind, for example – one of the industries that is rapidly developing here in the Highlands – is one of the sectors that needs to grow significantly to meet demand. The latest figures from the Offshore Wind Industry Council show that there were 32,257 people employed in offshore wind in 2023, but this needs to reach 104,401 by the end of the decade. And, of course, because wind is infinite resource, people will continue working in this industry for many, many years to come.

There is huge need for people to work in green jobs. Statistics from LinkedIn – where many companies will advertise their vacancies – show that green jobs represent over 30% of job postings in the UK.

Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport will deliver a long-term vision for the Highlands – the legacy of the investments being made now will benefit future generations and not just those here in the present.

Q: What is the benefit of green jobs?

A: Ultimately, green jobs help to protect the future of our planet as they are focused on reducing the harmful carbon emissions that are creating climate change. On a local level, they have a positive impact on the Highlands, creating opportunities for careers that may not have otherwise existed and give people a reason to remain, return or relocate and make a good life in a strong, vibrant and resilient community.

 

Q: Will people who work in the green freeport have the same rights as others?

A: Workers in the green freeport are covered by the same UK employment law as any other worker. However, strict protections will ensure the highest standards are followed within the green freeport covering planning, the environment and working conditions. A fair work charter has been signed as part of the tax site agreements that actually give workers more protection than those who work outside its boundaries. Employers who do not yet meet the requirements of the charter must demonstrate what measures they intend to take to meet them within a defined timeframe.