According to a report by Shell Springboard, there is an annual deficit of 50,000 science and technology graduates which could mean the low carbon economy is missing out on £6.7bn of annual growth by 2023.
The report’s authors urge the next government to make plugging this gap a key priority in its low carbon agenda.
David, who is also chair of the REA’s on site renewables group, said: “There has, perhaps, been a natural inclination for employers to look for ready-made candidates they can pick off the shelf, rather than looking to develop their own talent or promote opportunities available to employees in related industries to transfer their skills across to the renewables sector.
“But if we are to continue to take full advantage of the opportunities opening up to the renewables sector – and help tackle the skills gap identified in Shell’s report – we need to put in place a longer term strategy.
“Engineering and science, as well as cutting edge innovation and technology, are the life blood of the renewables sector. It is up to those of us already committed to our sector to do everything we can to ensure we are continually attracting the best talent to an industry with so much to offer.”