John Wilkinson is chief operating officer at BAM UK & Ireland
I recently had the pleasure of visiting our Eastern Green Link 2 project, the largest energy infrastructure scheme in the UK. As I stood alongside our team in Peterhead, I was reminded of a fundamental truth: our progress toward net zero will be powered by people. Over the coming years, we will need many more skilled people to construct the infrastructure required to power the UK with homegrown clean energy.
“Simply put, there are more jobs available than skilled workers to fill them”
As the UK prepares to double electricity capacity by 2050, transmission infrastructure will be the backbone of that transition. And it is no secret that the construction sector faces a skills shortage. A recent Construction Industry Training Board report estimates that the sector needs to recruit the equivalent of 239,300 extra workers over the next five years.
This challenge is only amplified in the energy sector. Much of the work is delivered in remote areas with small populations: Orkney, Creag Dhubh, Crossaig and Shetland. Simply put, there are more jobs available than skilled workers to fill them.
So how do we address this major challenge, which could otherwise jeopardise our future energy security?
Closing the gapsIt’s critical that we look beyond short-term recruitment and focus on building a pipeline of talent that can sustain the UK’s energy transition over the long term. It’s about ensuring we have the right people, in the right places, with the right support, at the right time – not just today, but 10 years from now. This means:
Anticipating future demand: creating training pathways now for roles that may not be fully in demand for another five to 10 years. Diversifying entry routes: making it easier for people to move across from other sectors or industries. Retaining and developing people: not just attracting new recruits, but keeping our existing talent motivated through progression opportunities and continuous professional development. Changing misconceptions about working in the construction industry: a recent YouGov survey found 77 per cent of UK students aged 18-24 would not consider a career in construction, with only 29 per cent seeing it as rewarding. It’s time for us to modernise our industry and change that perception.Being more flexibleA fulfilling career shouldn’t come at the cost of life’s important moments, whether it’s taking a child to school on their first day, caring for a relative or volunteering for a cause close to your heart. Allowing people to work in ways that fit their lives will be critical to creating a more inclusive, effective and rewarding construction industry for the next generation of talent. Offering greater flexibility is one way of doing that, and it’s something we had already started offering on site before Covid.
Addressing the skills gap requires long-term planning and investment. Strategic partnerships will be key between the construction industry, our clients and the government. It is these strategic partnerships that are enabling us to create meaningful careers in our sector, while reducing the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels.
As the grid evolves to meet net zero, the real power behind the transition won’t come from cables or turbines, it will come from people. The people working on Bam’s green grid projects are not just delivering infrastructure – they’re building a greener future.
Speaking to one of our apprentices on site at Peterhead, they said: “This isn’t just a job, it’s about being part of something that really matters.” That sense of purpose is how we attract the next generation – and how we’ll begin to close the skills gap.