A report into microgeneration in Wales by SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the building services engineering sector, has revealed a lack of skilled workers and warns the country may be left behind in the race to gain a share in the renewable energy market, unless steps are taken now.

SummitSkills, project managed the report at the request of the Welsh Assembly Government in conjunction with Sector Skills Council Energy and Utility Skills, to access the microgeneration requirements of the renewable energy sector in Wales.

The report, a Skills for Business Network funded project, also determined the sector’s current and future skills and training requirements to raise the productivity and sustainability of the Welsh workforce.

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Forty interviews conducted across Wales concluded that more work must be undertaken by the Welsh Assembly Government to bring supply and demand together. The Assembly is unlikely to achieve its policy objectives of greener and more carbon neutral technologies, and ultimately reduce Wales’ carbon footprint, without a more structured and systematic approach to the microgeneration issues.

The biggest single issue facing a company wishing to move into the microgeneration market is the lack of training staff.

The report reveals there is only one major provider of microgeneratioon technology training in Wales. Most training is coming from England, and significant investment is needed to train the trainers within the Further Education Colleges (FEC) and private training provider areas.

The report noted that 68% of the companies needed training in microgeneration, 73% identified a skills gap in microgeneration installation skills, and 68% found it difficult to recruit staff with the relevant skills in microgeneration.

(JM/SP)