As Europe advances towards a greener future, a plethora of qualified professionals will be essential to driving this change. It is not only engineers and visionary manufacturers that are required; electrical and mechanical contractors, responsible for handling electrical and mechanical installations are equally crucial. Consider, for instance, your local electrician or plumber. These professions encompass millions of workers, many of whom operate within small companies or as independent contractors, although there are also a few major players. Their roles are evolving rapidly as they integrate advanced technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps, and electric vehicle chargers, all the while adapting to the widespread electrification of society.
However, a pressing issue remains: how will these professions find enough qualified workers to meet the rapidly growing demand for buildings and infrastructure fit for the energy transition? This worrying yet exciting question is dealt with together at European level by their respective associations EuropeOn (representing electrical contractors) and GCP Europe (representing HVAC and plumbing contractors).
Find our replies in the interview carried out by the SolarImpulse Foundation on their website