University of Salford professor launches free clean energy careers tool for pupils

A professor at the University of Salford has launched a free online tool to help pupils interested in clean energy careers, as year nine students across England get ready to choose their GCSE options.

The Sustainable Local Energy Skills Roadmap was created by Professor Vahid Vahidinasab. Clean energy is expected to add more than 400,000 jobs in the UK by 2030, with employment in the sector forecast to double to 860,000.

The tool asks pupils aged 11 to 16 four short questions covering their year group, their interests, their GCSE subjects and how they prefer to learn. It then produces a personal roadmap setting out suitable clean energy jobs, the GCSE subjects those roles draw on and the routes into them.

Vahidinasab, who is chair in sustainability at the University of Salford and academic research director at its Centre for Sustainable Innovation, said: “In September 2026, the Department for Education announced new vocational GCSEs to be introduced in some subjects as early as September 2029. However, for those who are interested in clean energy careers and selecting their options now, many of the foundations are already there within the existing curriculum.

“From design and technology, electronics and engineering to economics, business, science and geography, there is already a wide range of pathways for students interested in clean energy careers. These subjects help develop the technical knowledge, problem-solving skills and commercial understanding needed to drive the energy transition, tackle climate change and help shape a more sustainable future.”

The roadmap includes 19 jobs, among them heat pump engineers, solar panel installers, electric vehicle technicians, electricians and energy data scientists. By linking roles to each pupil's interests, subjects and learning style, it aims to help young people spot routes into careers that will matter to the UK's move to net zero.

Vahidinasab added: “The transition to clean energy depends as much on skills, knowledge and talent as it does on new technology. As demand grows for renewable energy, low-carbon heating, electric vehicles and smarter energy systems, we need to ensure that young people are aware of the opportunities available and the routes they can take to access them.

“There are rewarding careers available at every level, from hands-on technical roles to leadership, research and innovation positions, but students can’t aspire to careers they don’t know exist. Our roadmap is designed to help bridge that gap by showing young people the jobs that match their interests, strengths and ambitions, and the skills that will help them get there.”

The tool also gives details of typical pay, training and education routes, career timelines and practical next steps, so pupils and their families can make informed decisions about GCSE choices and what comes after.

Schools can download a free teacher pack containing a 20-minute classroom activity, slides, a pupil worksheet and a QR code poster. Pupils can email their roadmap home or save it as a two-page PDF, while teachers can download a full version listing every GCSE topic it uses.

The roadmap runs on phones, tablets and computers, does not require a login and keeps pupils' answers on their own device. A ‘near you’ section lets pupils in Greater Manchester look up local careers advice, T Level courses and community energy groups.