Sunshine could power your job
21 Jul, 2011
Adapted from an article by Linda Whitney from the Daily Mail's Career's Supplement 14th of July, 2011.
Suddenly, it seems every second house has newly installed solar panels. Photo-voltaic (PV) solar is booming, and it's generating plenty of jobs, so now could be the time to get involved.
As recently as three years ago, installing a solar energy system was an eco-statement, Says Trevor Parsons form En-Spiral Recruitment, a renewables, energy and low-carbon recruitment specialist. 'Now there's a massive growth across most parts of the country and its brought and increase in demand for all the job roles associated with it.'
Companies supplying PV solar systems require sales staff, installers (who typically work in a team of a lead electrician, second electrician and roofer), project managers, surveyors, system designers and management.
This is a new industry and there are relatively few people with PV solar experience, so many employers are willing to train people with transferable skills.
CAROLINE WARD decided to move from the world of fashion to the solar energy sector. 'I had worked as a fashion buyer for George, Matalan and Store Twenty One, but next month I'm joining EOS Energy as it's solar equipment buyer, says Caroline, 30, from Kenilworth, Warwickshire. My friends were surprised, but I've always been interested in renewable energy and I wanted to do something for the environment. She will be negotiating with suppliers, buying, investigating new technologies, maintaining supplier relations and ensuring goods arrive on time for projects. 'Many skills I used as a fashion buyer are transferable to this job, but I'm looking forward to the challenge of learning more' says Caroline.
Solar panel salesmen at some rogue firms have been criticized recently, so make sure that you are being employed by a reputable business.
'Some of our clients will train people with the right electrical skills or degrees in renewable energy, science or engineering for the technical jobs. We also work with a training organization to instruct the right candidates.' says Mr Parsons.
'We are looking for 50 staff in the next nine months, including installers, engineers, sales staff and commercial managers' says Lee Summers of EOS Energy. 'Installers could be electricians or roofers looking for a change of career. For surveyor and system design jobs, we are looking for graduates in electrical or structural engineering. We'll also take trainees straight from school or college, preferably with NVQ qualifications in practical subjects, or those keen to get into the environmental sector.'
The company plans to provide apprenticeships by September. Pay for entry-level jobs starts at £14,000.
Other companies seeking staff include PV Solar UK, which is looking for installers, qualified engineers and sales staff.
'We will train sales people new to the solar PV sector, provided they are customer-focused and can communicate in a clear manner' says Nick Howard of PV Solar UK. 'It is ideal for career changers, especially for people experienced in sales.'
Graham Wall of Solar King, which has several offices across the country, says: 'We need telesales and field sales staff, as well as installers and surveyors.'
'Look for job ads, but also try speculative approaches because firms are expanding fast and may not yet have advertised vacancies. Look for those accredited under the Microgeneration Cerification Scheme (MCS), which are the only ones permitted to fit PV solar systems allowing customers to access the new feed-in tariff' says Mr Parsons, 'this allows them to sell energy back to the National Grid. Ideally, choose a company that's part of the REAL Assurance scheme.'
Another route in to the sector is through courses over seen by the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies (NSAET), launched in February.
Rob Wellman of NSAET says: ' Trainees should find an employer locally' see the National Apprenticeships Service website for vacancies that supplies training accredited by NSAET. Or look for courses at colleges or commercial training, such as JTL, which provides building services training.
Pay in the PV sector varies widely as many companies are small and it's an industry that is growing fast. Installers can expect to earn between £16,000 and £25,000, £18,000 and £30,000 in London. For system designers, it's £18,000 to £20,000, but can reach up to £40,000 with experience. Sales staff packages vary from commission-only to basic £20,000 to £30,000. Operations managers can be on £45,000 to £70,000, but in international companies, the country managers can be on six-figure salaries.
EN-spiral Recruitment: www.en-spiral.co.uk
EOS Energy: www.eosenergy.co.uk
PV Solar UK: www.pvsolaruk.co.uk
Solar King: www.solarkinguk.com
Real Assurance Scheme: www.realassurance.org.uk
MCS: www.microgenerationcertification.org
National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies: www.nsaet.org.uk
National Apprenticeships Service website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk
JTL: www.jtltraining.com