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Careers in solar

The solar sector is expanding. Young people can be part of it.

Drone and solar cell workshop at King Edward VI King's Norton School for Boys

Why careers in solar matter

Real jobs for real growth

So called 'Green Jobs', like those in the solar industry, aren’t "the future of work", they are real jobs of today.

The UK solar sector is growing fast. It's creating roles in design, installation, engineering, project support, monitoring, manufacturing and much more.

These jobs offer clear pathways, paid training, apprenticeships, and both local and national opportunities.

Understanding careers in solar helps pupils connect what they learn in school to real work that matters, as a force for change.

So called 'Green Jobs', like those in the solar industry, aren’t "the future of work", they are real jobs of today.

The UK solar sector is growing fast. It's creating roles in design, installation, engineering, project support, monitoring, manufacturing and much more.

These jobs offer clear pathways, paid training, apprenticeships, and both local and national opportunities.

Understanding careers in solar helps pupils connect what they learn in school to real work that matters, as a force for change.

"The session gave students a clear understanding of what solar energy is, how it works, and why it's such a positive choice for the future"
Lucy Pears - Assistant Head, Parkland Primary

Pathways and opportunities:

More than one way to succeed

Careers in solar open multiple routes into work, including:

- Apprenticeships and technical routes

- College, vocational training and university pathways

- Career progression without a degree

Many roles are practical and hands-on, so ideal for young people who enjoy problem-solving, outdoor work, teamwork and skills they can see in action.

Careers in solar open multiple routes into work, including:

- Apprenticeships and technical routes

- College, vocational training and university pathways

- Career progression without a degree

Many roles are practical and hands-on, so ideal for young people who enjoy problem-solving, outdoor work, teamwork and skills they can see in action.

The Gatsby Benchmarks

Developed by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the guidance provides eight practical benchmarks to help schools and colleges plan and assess effective careers programmes.

Our work here aligns with the Gatsby Benchmarks by embedding careers learning into curriculum delivery, school culture and employer engagement.

Using live solar data and real-world industry experiences, it brings green careers to life for all students.

Developed by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the guidance provides eight practical benchmarks to help schools and colleges plan and assess effective careers programmes.

Our work here aligns with the Gatsby Benchmarks by embedding careers learning into curriculum delivery, school culture and employer engagement.

Using live solar data and real-world industry experiences, it brings green careers to life for all students.

See how we map the Solar for Schools education against the Gatsby Benchmarks below...

Gatsby Benchmark 2:

Learning from Career and Labour Market Information (LMI)

Connects learning to fast-growing green careers, from solar and data analysis to governance and community engagement.
Shows why green skills matter through real-world energy and net zero targets.
Broadens understanding of green jobs beyond engineering to include analytical, civic and education roles... and jobs that don't yet even exist!

Connects learning to fast-growing green careers, from solar and data analysis to governance and community engagement.
Shows why green skills matter through real-world energy and net zero targets.
Broadens understanding of green jobs beyond engineering to include analytical, civic and education roles... and jobs that don't yet even exist!

Gatsby Benchmark 3:

Addressing the needs of each pupil

Our approach aligns here by applying real‑world contexts to engage pupils with different learning preferences, including those less motivated by purely academic pathways.

Educator Martin Foulkes teaching the site team at Formby High School and Sixth Form how to interpret Solar for Schools' live solar data

Gatsby Benchmark 4:

Linking curriculum learning to careers

Pupils apply curriculum knowledge to real infrastructure, enhancing understanding of how skills are used beyond school.
Learning explicitly connects subject content to roles in energy, sustainability, data, policy, education and beyond.

Gatsby Benchmark 5:

Encounters with employers and employees

Learning materials are informed by real employer practice, ensuring authenticity rather than generic careers messaging.
Engagement highlights diverse roles across energy and sustainability.

Our Asset Management Engineer, Ryan and COO Robert visiting Rolec to find out more about their EV charger manufacture and supply

Gatsby Benchmark 6:

Experiences of workplaces

The school estate itself becomes a live workplace learning environment, with pupils engaging directly with solar infrastructure, monitoring systems and operational decision‑making.
Conferences and events, like Sustainability Learning Conference (see below) provide additional insight into professional contexts and expectations.

Sustianability Learning Conference NW

Gatsby Benchmark 7:

Encounters with further and higher education

Sustainability is presented as a cross‑cutting theme, relevant to multiple educational routes rather than a single pathway.

Solar careers in your schools

Practical ways to bring careers in solar to life

Solar industry job cards

We've created multi-use flashcards for key stages 1 to 4 to help pupils learn about the plethora of careers in the industry from installers to financial controllers. Order yours below...

Green careers events

We work with schools and football clubs to host events showcasing exciting careers in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors. Contact us if you'd like us to support you to host your own green careers fair.

Educator resource pack

We're collaborating with Solar Energy UK and Earth Energy Education creating resources to help teachers, educators, employees and careers advisors to engage young people with the 6 core jobs the Government's solar task force has identified as being essential for the growth of the industry. Watch this space!

Order job cards

Walking the talk...

West Midlands Solar Taskforce, Skills Subgroup

Our resident 'Brummie' and education delivery manager, Danielle Parker (front right) Chairs this newly-formed group with one aim in mind: to get more people into the solar industry in the region.

This means working with training providers, employers and learners to quickly identify and fill gaps in awareness, provision and opportunity.

Our resident 'Brummie' and education delivery manager, Danielle Parker (front right) Chairs this newly-formed group with one aim in mind: to get more people into the solar industry in the region.

This means working with training providers, employers and learners to quickly identify and fill gaps in awareness, provision and opportunity.

Learn more