Tom Young looks at the degree courses available for graduates wishing to pursue a career in the green jobs market
By Tom Young
It has long been lamented that the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills required to build a functioning low-carbon economy are in short supply in Britain.
The Labour government tried a number of initiatives aimed at increasing these skills, with varying degrees of success, while the coalition shares the previous administration’s enthusiasm for bolstering the UK’s technical skills base. But how is this political focus translating into relevant degree courses, and what skills will graduates need if they are to secure the green collar jobs promised by the low-carbon revolution?
BusinessGreen takes a look at 10 degree or apprenticeship subjects that would stand a graduate in good stead for the green jobs market of the future.
 
1. Wind turbine engineering
According to research by the National Academy for Power, the focus of many courses that relate to this area remain broad, often providing a basic electrical engineering degree with the addition of specialist modules relating to wind turbines. It is also possible to do a dedicated undergraduate or postgraduate renewable energy degree made up of IT, electronics, mathematics, engineering and geology, with an optional specialism in wind turbine technology, at a number of universities.
However, there are an increasing number of specialised courses, particularly at a postgraduate level. For example, Northumberland College offers a qualification in renewable energy, which features training on a specially designed wind turbine training tower, while Fife’s Carnegie College plans to offer a wind turbine apprenticeship in conjunction with Siemens.
 
2. Green construction
Because green building codes have been in place for some time – since 2006, in the case of homes – this is an area where there already exist a number of focused, specific qualifications.
The British Council publishes a good list of relevant degrees in the area. The Green Building Council also offers a number of courses designed to help those already in the industry get up to speed on sustainable building.

3. Low-carbon automotive engineering
Those engineers that developed the current batch of low-emissions vehicles are likely to have done standard automotive engineering degrees offered at various universities around the UK.
But now Newcastle University offers a mechanical and low-carbon transport engineering degree, as does Sunderland. Both could currently be good options as the northeast is developing a low-carbon vehicle scheme that will see 35 passenger vehicles being developed in the region, as well as the installation of 1,300 electric charging points over the next few years.
 
4. Smart grid engineering
Smart grid technology is still under development around the world, so degree courses are scarce. Lincoln University is offering a PhD studentship in smart grid complex power networks. Candidates should have a degree in mathematics or engineering. Meanwhile, Manchester University also offers a masters equivalent in smart grid systems.
 
5. Biofuels engineering
Many agriculture and land management degrees now have a biofuels component, but they are more likely to focus on how to grow and process different types of fuel.
For the more complex field of second-generation biofuels, students are better off taking a degree in biotechnology. Bristol, Nottingham and Coventry all run good courses, while the University of Glasgow runs a science for international development degree, which has a practical biofuels strand.
 
6. Marine renewable energy Again, this is a new area, so pickings are relatively slim. The University of Plymouth offers a masters degree in marine renewable energy, and it has joined forces with the University of Exeter to form the Peninsula Research Institute in Marine Renewable Energy, which provides the research support for Wave Hub, a new test facility for prototype marine energy devices off the north coast of Cornwall. Many renewable energy degrees have a marine component, but this is currently one of the few dedicated marine energy courses in the world.
 
7. Fuel cell development (mechanical engineering) Fuel cell development is a fast-growing field, with widespread applications in a number of low-carbon industries. Loughborough University has a research group in its aeronautical and automotive engineering department specifically dedicated to the development of hydrogen-powered fuel cells. The university is working with Intelligent Energy to develop and commercialize the fuel cells, and offers a number of degrees relating to fuel cell development. Birmingham and Newcastle universities both offer a PhD in hydrogen and fuel cells.
 
8. Carbon capture and storage
Carbon capture and storage has the potential to be one of the most important technologies of the 21st century. If mastered it could be used to decarbonize the world’s energy supply much faster than had previously been thought possible. Edinburgh University offers a masters degree in carbon capture and storage, as does Loughborough. Nottingham University is home to the National Centre for Carbon Capture and Storage and offers a PhD, as well as masters degree.
9. Nuclear engineering
Last year energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne made it clear the government would not oppose a new generation of nuclear power station in the UK. Contrary to popular opinion, you do not need a degree in nuclear physics to become a nuclear engineer.
There are a number of relevant qualifications offered by British universities that have been teaching in the field of nuclear science and engineering for more than 50 years. The Nuclear Industry Association publishes a good up-to-date list. And the Nuclear Skills Academy has a list of other relevant courses for the nuclear industry – from decommissioning studies to certificates in radiation protection.
10. Green management
For those with an inclination towards business or management rather than engineering, there are a number of new green management degrees around the country.
The University of Exeter Business School is offering a One Planet MBA for the first time this year alongside WWF, while Liverpool University is running an MBA in environmental management. Bath University runs a masters degree in responsibility and business practice, and Cambridge University offers a masters in engineering for sustainable development.
(Source: www.businessgreen.com )