The UK’s net zero jobs boom is coming – but we’re not ready. By 2050, there will be 1.8 million net zero jobs to fill, yet current skills development isn’t keeping pace with industry demand. This skills gap has a major impact on the UK’s ability to meet decarbonisation goals.

Further Education (FE) colleges will play a vital role in addressing this challenge, preparing future talent with vocational skills in engineering, renewables, EV and emerging technologies. Yet too often, colleges work in isolation without the networks, resources, or industry input needed to keep pace with change.

Recognising this gap between industry need and educational delivery, the Energy Transition Skills Leaders (ETSL) programme was developed by Connectr Early Engagement and ESP (Energy Skills Partnership) supported by Shell UK. Delivered during 2024–2025, ETSL was designed as a pilot collaborative network to support FE colleges to strengthen their energy skills provision through shared learning, industry engagement and joint curriculum development.

A collaborative model for green skills development

The ETSL programme brought together three pioneering colleges – Fife College, Pembrokeshire College, and North East Scotland College – with a shared mission: to build capability within FE to upskill and reskill learners for roles aligned to the energy transition.

Rather than developing approaches in isolation, ETSL created a structured space for collaboration, enabling educators to exchange insight, explore common challenges and align provision more closely with industry needs.

Over the course of the programme, activity focused on three core priorities:

1. Building collaboration: establishing a cross-college working group to support peer learning, shared problem-solving and relationship building.
2. Developing curriculum concepts: progressing early-stage development of an Introduction to Net Zero curriculum, intended as an accessible entry point for learners and career changers.
3. Enhancing staff knowledge: facilitating direct engagement between educators and industry experts to deepen understanding of emerging skills needs and career pathways.

What makes ETSL different?

• Cross-college knowledge sharing: educators meet regularly to collaborate, share practice, and co-develop solutions.
• Industry insight: input from Shell and guest speakers ensures curriculum design reflects real-world career pathways.
• A distinct identity: Connectr and ESP worked with colleges to co-create the ETSL brand, giving the network visibility and credibility with students, employers, and funders.

What made ETSL effective

Several elements underpinned the success of the programme:

• Cross-college knowledge sharing: regular, facilitated sessions enabled educators to share practice and learn from one another.
• Industry insight: input from Shell and invited speakers grounded discussions in real-world workforce needs.
• A shared identity: Connectr and ESP worked with colleges to co-create the ETSL brand, helping to establish credibility and cohesion across the network.

What made ETSL different - and effective

Several elements underpinned both the distinctiveness and success of the programme:

• Cross-college knowledge sharing: regular, facilitated sessions enabled educators to collaborate, share practice, and co-develop solutions.
• Industry insight: input from Shell UK and invited guest speakers ensured discussions and curriculum design reflected real-world workforce needs and career pathways.
• A shared identity: Connectr and ESP worked with colleges to co-create the ETSL brand, establishing visibility, credibility, and cohesion across the network with students, employers, and funders.

Programme impact

By the end of the programme, ETSL had delivered a number of tangible outcomes:

• Established the first formal collaboration of its kind between the three participating colleges, creating a strong foundation for future joint working.
• Advanced the initial design and scope of an Introduction to Net Zero curriculum.
• Built a community of practice for FE educators, increasing confidence and capability to deliver green skills education.
• Improved alignment between FE provision and industry priorities linked to the UK’s net-zero agenda.

The impact of the programme is best illustrated through the reflections of participating network members:

“The ETSL programme provided Fife College colleagues with a supportive and easily accessible network of members with shared views and vision. Its focus on Energy Transition Skills supported cross-college introductions and collaboration opportunities that were valuable to us moving forward in this area.  The network supported the sharing of ideas and practice. Many of the connections made still continue and we are grateful for the support provided by Connectr Early Engagement in the oversight and management of the ESTL programme.” - Iain Hawker, Assistant Principal: Enterprise & Partnerships at Fife College and ETSL

“Being part of the Energy Transition Skills Leaders network was hugely valuable. The opportunity to visit partner colleges and share ideas with fellow FE leaders created genuine collaboration, helping us learn from one another and accelerate curriculum development. It was a rare and refreshing forum for FE leaders to think collectively about the future.” -  Arwyn Williams, Head of Faculty for Engineering, Computing and Higher Education at Pembrokeshire College

The programme concluded with a year-one celebration event, which marked the achievements of the pilot phase and captured learning from participants. This event served as a point of reflection, highlighting what had been achieved and what insights could be taken forward by partners beyond the programme lifecycle.