How to upskill for renewable energy trades

Renewable energy in the UK is more popular than ever and it only looks set to grow. So, it’s an exciting time to be part of the action. In this guide, find out where to start and how to upskill for renewable energy trades.

The easier way to book quality trades

Download app

If you’re serious about developing a career in the renewable energy trades, we’ve put together our top tips and advice on how to upskill.

We’ll talk you through possible renewable energy training courses and funded renewable energy training options. So, let’s get started…

List of renewable energy trades

As renewable energy technology advances, so do the opportunities and demand for skilled tradespeople.

In 2025 alone, we had over 115,000 searches for renewable energy jobs on the Checkatrade website*. And that number only looks set to grow in the future.

Currently, the main renewable energy trades in the UK include:

• Solar power installers and specialist electricians

• Wind energy installers

• Hydroelectric power engineers

• Heat pump installers and specialist plumbers

• Energy efficiency system engineers, such as home insulation and smart grids

• Biomass central heating installers and engineers

Each renewable energy trade has its own opportunities and challenges. Choosing the trade for you will depend on your interests and skill set.

Renewable energy training courses

There are a growing number of renewable energy training courses available in the UK.

Some of the options currently available include:

• Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installer courses that cover solar panel installation, testing, and maintenance of solar PV systems

• Heat Pump Installer courses that focus specifically on installing and maintaining ground source and air source heat pumps

• Wind Turbine Technician courses will prepare you to install and maintain wind turbines (both onshore and offshore)

• The Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) course will give you the qualifications to assess properties for energy efficiency

Some of the organisations that offer renewable energy training courses are Renewables Academy (RENAC), BPEC, and Logic4training.

Examples of green energy courses

Here are some examples of specific courses you might want to look into:

• RENAC Battery Energy Storage Systems for Grid Ancillary Services or MBA in Renewables

• BPEC Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installation course or Heat Pump Training

• Logic4Training Solar Thermal Hot Water Systems or Electric Vehicle Charging Point Installation

• InnoEnergy Skills Institute Master's in Sustainable Energy Systems

• City & Guilds Energy Assessment courses

• Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) MSc in Green Building

There are lots more renewable energy courses out there, so search online to find the right course(s) for you.

How to start a renewable energy business

With the ever-present threat of climate change and a decline in fossil fuels, the renewable energy sector is thriving. Renewable energy covers a range of different power sources, including wind power, solar power, hydropower, and biomass power. Homeowners are becoming more environmentally conscious

Learn more

Funded renewable energy training

One of the great benefits of pursuing a career in green technologies is that there’s often funded renewable energy training available.

At the time of writing this guide, here are some of the schemes and programmes available to help you upskill in renewable energy:

• Government-funded training programmes, such as Green Skills Bootcamps and Lifetime Skills Guarantee courses

• Renewable energy apprenticeships let you earn while you learn and you can benefit from government funding for your training

• Local council initiatives are available in some areas and provide fully or partially funded courses in renewable energy technologies

• Industry-specific funding is available through grants from organisations like CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)

• FE colleges and independent training centres often offer courses funded through government schemes or employer partnerships

With the above in mind, it’s worth looking into what funded renewable energy training options are available in your area.

Tips for accessing funded training

Here are our top tips for getting funded renewable energy training:

• Check local opportunities by speaking to your local Jobcentre, council, and colleges

• Talk to your employer (if you already work in a related trade) to see if they can access funding for your training

• Do online research and check sites such as Gov.uk or Skills Development Scotland

With the UK’s dedication to reaching net zero, there’s increasing funding and support available to help people upskill in renewable energy trades.

Training grants for small business

Trade businesses can make major strides in winning more work by taking advantage of training grants. When budgets are tight, training funding for small businesses can make a big difference. However, the more skilled you are, the more you can charge for your work. You can also probably take on more

Learn more

Skills required for green energy trades

When it comes to the renewable energy engineer skills that you’ll need for your future career, here are the main bases to cover:

• Technical knowledge and a thorough understanding of electrical systems and energy storage

• Practical skills for your chosen renewable energy, including installation, maintenance and ability to use tools and equipment

• Problem-solving and the ability to think on your feet to find solutions for challenges that may arise

• Communication skills for dealing with colleagues, homeowners and other businesses

• Awareness of regulations so that you’re constantly up-to-date with the latest UK building regulations and renewable energy standards

• Health & safety knowledge to ensure that you are always working safely and efficiently

You can find out more by speaking to experienced local renewable energy tradespeople and green technology businesses in your area.

Digital skills for green technologies

As you might expect, many renewable energy trades need you to have a certain level of digital literacy.

You’ll most likely be expected to have some of the following skills:

• Ability to use monitoring software and green energy simulation and modelling tools

• Data analysis of green energy systems

• Familiarity with smart devices and IoT (Internet of Things)

• Electrical design and CAD (computer-aided design) skills

• Knowledge of smart grid technology

If the list above is foreign to you, you might want to spend some time researching green technologies online.

Official trade qualifications in the UK

Now is a great time to be a tradesperson in the UK. Because becoming a qualified tradesperson has never been more accessible. Getting official trade qualifications sets you up with the right skills to do the job well. Plus, it shows potential customers that you’re dedicated to your trade. Types of

Learn more

Skills shortage in renewable energy

According to the National Grid, there's currently an estimated shortage of around 400,000 skilled workers needed for the renewable energy and broader net-zero transition.

As a result, the UK Government is encouraging and investing in upskilling existing workers – as well as attracting younger generations into renewable energy-related jobs.

With the transition to green energy sources, it's an exciting time for tradespeople or new entrants to upskill and pursue a career in renewable energy trades.

With the right training, you can fill these high-demand roles and benefit from long-term job security in a rapidly growing sector.

Emerging renewable energy opportunities

If you want to get ahead of the curve, you might want to explore a career in one of the emerging green technologies:

• Floating solar farms

• Hydrogen power

• Energy storage solutions

• Carbon capture

By specialising in a new and growing renewable energy trade, you could put yourself in a strong position for career opportunities in the future.

FAQs

What qualifications do I need to start a career in renewable energy?

Entry requirements will vary by trade. That said, most renewable energy jobs will require technical qualifications.

For example, you may need an NVQ or City & Guilds certificate in electrical or mechanical engineering.

Or specific qualifications for specialised roles, e.g.solar panel or wind turbine installation

Are there any funded training options for renewable energy trades in the UK?

Yes, there are. The UK government offers a variety of funded options, such as Green Skills Bootcamps, apprenticeships, and local council grants.

Check with your local training institutes near you to find out what training is available in your area.

What are the best certifications for a renewable energy installer?

For green energy installers in the UK, some of the key certifications include:

• MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) for solar, heat pumps, and wind installations

• GWO (Global Wind Organisation) for wind turbine technicians

These certifications help to ensure that your work meets industry standards and can boost your employability.

How long does it take to upskill in renewable energy?

There is no fixed timeline for upskilling in any trade. The time it takes will depend on the type of training you do.

Short courses in renewable energy can take as little as 2-6 weeks. However, apprenticeships or more in-depth training programs can last 1-2 years.

Many renewable energy training courses offer part-time options, so you can fit it in with your work schedule.

* Internal search data from users of the Checkatrade.com website in 2025