Green technology firms just can't get the staff

THE renewable energy industry in Guernsey is short of trained people, according to a green businessman. E-Si Ltd managing director Paul Fletcher said he found it difficult to find people with the skills and experience needed to install and service the products his company sells, such as solar panels and ground-source heat pumps.

He also criticised the States' energy Green Paper for not having an action plan to address the shortfall in labour, claiming the government was not implementing policies that reflected people's aspirations.

'It is all very well making laws to install eco-technologies, but the biggest issue we all face in order to combat climate change is people,' he said.

'The crucial remedy for the emergent renewable energy industry is to invest in people, train them to a high level and get them out there experiencing the installation of real alternative energy systems.

'We need a mechanism to educate people of all ages, background and experiences to create the engineers to install, service and maintain renewable energy efficient technologies now and into the future.'

The energy policy Green Paper had gone out for consultation and returned to the States last week.

It aims to set improved standards to cut carbon emissions and use renewable energy.

Mr Fletcher said that the States, businesses and individuals needed to rally together and get the trades and consumers educated for the future.

'Householders need to appreciate the potential value of the heating, plumbing and electrical trades' contribution to the safeguarding of our economy and society.

'If we do not do something quickly, we face a world that could suffer from what I would call the Mad Max factor, whereby we are all scrabbling around for the last drop of oil or gas at exorbitant prices and potentially clobbering the hell out of each other.'

By not investing in people, Guernsey would be missing out on massive profits from the rapidly growing renewable energy market, he added.

Energy policy strategy group chairman Bernard Flouquet said it was not government's job to address any shortfall in people to install and service renewable

energy products.

'Surely the people who sell these items are the ones who should be making sure they have the people to carry out their business,' he said.

'I don't think it's the responsibility of the States.

'If Mr Fletcher is actually talking about housing licence issues, then he is facing the same situation as any other business in Guernsey.

'I understand where he is coming from, but the onus should be on him to train local people in the island.'

The States did want to implement policies that reflected people's aspirations regarding green issues, added Deputy Flouquet.

'For example there is a section within the report that looks at orientation issues of new builds in order to maximise the potential for solar power.

'We would welcome anyone to write to us and give us their views because that's what this report is about.

'Some people say we shouldn't even have bothered, but the States has no choice other than to acknowledge this as a major piece of work for the future.'