Cheshire to receive £900K funding to upskill clean energy sector workers
ECW will commission and oversee delivery of the courses
Cheshire is to receive £900K funding to upskill 150 clean energy sector workers amid a collective ambition for the region to “be the most sustainable, healthy, inclusive and growing economy in the UK”.
The funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Office for Clean Energy Jobs will also be used to support up to 15 apprentices and knowledge sharing between business and educators.
Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington will commission and oversee delivery of the courses, which will be available to anyone aged 18+ who is a Cheshire West resident working in carbon-intensive industries, or those working in a business based in Cheshire West that would benefit from training to let them access new clean energy opportunities.
Courses will be delivered by a range of local and national providers, typically lasting one to five days, and delivered over a maximum of six weeks. They are designed to upskill local people in a range of sector-critical areas such as electrical engineering, hydrogen skills, and construction.
The funding, announced in the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, is the next phase of the announcement made in January 2025, which highlighted that west Cheshire had been selected as a pilot “key growth region” for clean energy.
The new short courses further enhance Cheshire and Warrington’s already enviable track record of skills training, including the hugely successful Skills Bootcamp programme which offers courses ranging from retrofit and green construction to 3D printing to help thousands of people fast track into jobs and boost existing careers.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Chair of Cheshire and Warrington sub regional Leaders Board and Joint Committee said: “Upskilling existing workers and ensuring the courses available at our local training providers are industry-led, will enable the clean energy sector to go from strength to strength, including attracting the local talent for the future. We are thrilled that west Cheshire can contribute to the UK’s broader goal of achieving clean power by 2030 and will look forward to working closely with the department and the Office for Clean Energy Jobs to ensure this next phase is a success.”
James Johnson, Head of Regional Programme at the North West Net Zero Hub, a delivery partner which helped secure the funding said: “We’re proud to have facilitated the first stage of the regional skills pilot. The robust research delivered by Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington highlights a sharp rise in clean energy workforce demand. This further supports the findings of our recent Clean Power Paper - up to 35,000 roles needed by 2028 across the whole of the North West, particularly in nuclear, offshore wind, CCUS and hydrogen. This growth forecast is not just a challenge; it’s a generational opportunity for communities across the North West. By acting together, we can unlock thousands of high-quality jobs, attract investment, and ensure the region leads the way in powering the UK’s clean energy future.”
The Government published a plan yesterday (October 19), aimed at upskilling the next generation of clean energy workers across the country, forecasting that employment could double to 860,000 by 2030.
The plan sets clear workforce estimates for the first time with the aim of helping industry, the public sector and education providers deliver a strategy to invest in training for specific in-demand occupations. Thirty-one occupations, which includes plumbers, electricians and welders, are particularly in demand, the government says.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, said: “We’re giving workers the skills needed for switch to clean energy, which is good for them, good for industry - and will drive growth across the nation.
“Our new jobs plan will unlock real opportunities and ensure everyone has access to the training and support to secure the well-paid jobs that will power our country’s future, as part of our Plan for Change.”
Prospective providers and learners / employers wishing to find out more about the Cheshire courses can access more information HERE.