Since the introduction of feed-in tariffs for the UK, hundreds, if not thousands, of new jobs have been created in the renewables, blue sky sector. Many of these jobs could have led to permanent apprenticeships for young people. The positive commitment to the environment by the previous government had, until the bad news recently, helped the emerging renewables' industry buck the downward trend in job prospects right across the UK. This is now all set to change as the coalition government is poised to cut the industry off at the knees with a massive downgrading (by about 50%) of the feed-in tariff payments to homeowners and small businesses. The proposal, announced on Monday 31st October, indicates a cut in the payment per kW from 43p to just 21p.

Long established solar PV installer, Charles Holford of West Wales Renewable Energy, says "Certainly, my business has enjoyed some buoyancy over the past year or two from the FITs but investment costs (training and registration) during that period, to enable my business to meet the FIT's installer credentials, have been expensive and time consuming and should not be underestimated. At last, after more than 20 years installing renewable energy systems (mainly for enthusiasts) it seemed that the FITs scheme was, at last, taking these technologies into the mainstream and that certainly had begun happening. However, sadly, the whole industry is now waking up to the sorry prospect that it may have been short-lived and all out investment in equipment and recruiting staff seems to have been for nothing. Three customers rang me yesterday to say they were reconsidering and were now unlikely to go ahead. Another potential customer rang this morning who was about to accept my quotation and was pencilled in for January is now unsure!"

This is doubly sad for all the young electrical engineers that have found gainful employment in this exciting emerging sector. For instance, the young apprentices that are now employed by West Wales Renewable Energy could face an uncertain future where the completion of their apprenticeships are now in serious doubt if pending contracts are cancelled/uptake reduced as a result of the government's decision to reduce the payments under FITs.

"We may well be installing sustainable energy systems but I'm asking myself just how sustainable are the prospects of continued employment if the scheme has now changed so dramatically", said 19 year old Andrew Brindle, who is currently studying one day per week at Pembrokeshire College on day release from his employer, West Wales Renewable Energy.

Similar concerns were expressed by Darren Williams who has been with the company for a number of years. "Until the emergence of FITs, I spent most of my workdays installing TV and satellite aerials. Installing renewable energy schemes such as the 8.7kW project shown here is a much more rewarding job and it has been comforting to know that every project we complete takes the UK a step further towards being more self sufficient in energy. To change it all now, just as the general public are getting interested, would be a stab in the back of not just the industry but the whole concept of sustainability."

Renewable energy installations are one of the very few sectors that are busy at the moment. If the work dries up due the the proposed slashing of the FITs payment then the prospects of finding other work looks very bleak indeed.

The credibility of the present government's green stance is again under severe scrutiny.

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