Employees in the Renewable Sector Enjoy Bigger Salaries

Renewable energy businesses are offering large salaries in order to recruit workers and stop their employees from joining competitors.

Research by global management consultancy Hay Group revealed that a significant number of major businesses in the renewable industry are inflating wages due to a sector skills shortage.

The study found that the majority of employers feel that there is a lack of talent in the renewable energy sector and as a result they are willing to pay their existing employees more in a bid to retain them.

Tradesmen who complete green energy courses and learn to install efficient heating systems such as air and ground heat pumps and solar electricity systems can expect to earn an increased wage because of the popularity of renewable technology.

Hay Group's Gavin Brown said: "Our 2009 reward survey showed us that the renewables industry is among the best rewarded sectors in the UK economy with salaries consistently above the UK average."

Mr Brown went on to say that workers with green energy skills will have a distinct advantage because an increasing number of businesses are trying hard to attract their abilities due to the current growth in the renewable sector.

He said: "The relatively small talent pool of employees and the competition to attract and retain expertise within the sector has created an employee driven salary market in which organisations are paying what they have to in order to attract the right candidate."

Hay Group found that 64 per cent of businesses felt there was a shortage in the renewable sector and that it was necessary for more employees to take green energy courses in order to address the situation.

In addition, 75 per cent of companies are looking to train their existing employees through green energy courses to ensure that they have a higher standard of skills.

Hay Group also discovered that 67 per cent of firms are advertising jobs with bigger salaries in a bid to attract the most talented employees to their business and gain an edge over their rivals.

The renewable sector is one industry that job seekers can look to join and training in this area is becoming more crucial during the current economic climate where employment opportunities are scarce.

Britain will need to invest in more energy efficient technologies in order to meet legally-binding targets, according to the Committee on Climate Change.

The United Kingdom has committed itself to cutting carbon emissions by 80 per cent over the next 40 years.