1. Career Progression Pathways Low Carbon & Energy
The low carbon economy in the Liverpool City Region has experienced an increase in employment of 3,560 jobs over the period 2010 to Notable growth in environmental services, particularly waste collection; electricity production; and in technical and advisory services, most significantly in engineering related scientific and technical consultancy.
Overview…
The Low Carbon Economy covers a wide range of business activity which is reflected in the choice of jobs and the types of skills required by employers in the sector. The majority of skills are rooted in engineering, manufacturing and construction occupations.
For workers, there is a need for strong underlying craft and technical skills at level 3 that can be built upon and adapted in the workplace to reflect tasks specific to this sector.
The Liverpool City Region is well positioned to compete for business globally, with a critical mass of production and development activity. For example, Liverpool Bay is the second largest concentration of offshore wind turbines in the world and has had £4.3 billion of private sector investment over the last five years, meaning we have skills in a growing market.
Other useful skills include:
Ability to multi-skill and transfers skills from other sectors such as engineering or construction
more diagnostic and fault finding skills
Alongside Wind Energy, key areas in the low carbon sector include:
greater integration of installation and design skills
Housing Energy Efficiency
leadership and project management skills
Electric Vehicles
greater environmental and legal knowledge and health and safety awareness
Energy Production and Distribution
Will there be opportunities?
Employers in the Low Carbon economy require workers to have a good basic literacy, numeracy and digital skills and qualifications. For all levels of work, Low Carbon economy employers have a preference for staff with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) qualifications.
In 2016, there were 30,275 employed in jobs in this sector across 3505 businesses. Average annual gross pay in the North West in the same period was £31,328
Maintenance Engineer Trainee
As a trainee maintenance engineer you will be responsible for the learning about the continuous running of equipment and machinery. You will use computerised systems to oversee routine maintenance and organise repairs under supervision.
Freight handler, shipping clerk, docks and waterways hand
Wind Turbine Engineer
A wind turbine technician will work with a team of well-trained professionals to maintain facilities surrounding wind turbines and maintain the turbines themselves. Part of the job includes basic cleaning and maintenance on the premises surrounding the wind turbines.
Waterways pilot, navigational specialist
Hydrologist
Hydrologists study the distribution, movement, and quality of underground and surface water and get involved in the monitoring, management and protection of water and water resources in commercial, environmental and academic settings.
Other jobs:
Energy specialist, chemical researcher, R&D supervisor
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers are individuals who plan, devise and oversee the construction of different structures and facilities such as buildings, bridges, airports, roadways and railways, dams, power plants, coastal developments, irrigation projects, water & sewerage systems
Site manager, planner

2. Educational Level Example Qualification Typical Earnings / Role
Entry Level
Involves building basic knowledge and skills and is not geared towards specific occupations.
Entry Level Award, Certificate or Diploma
Entry Level English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
Entry Level Essential or Functional Skills
Skills for Life
Level 1
Involves activities which mostly relate to everyday situations and may be linked to job competence.
First Certificate
GCSE grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G
Level 1 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 1 ESOL
Level 1 Essential or Functional Skills
Level 1 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
Music grades 1, 2 and 3
Level 2
Involves building knowledge and skills in relation to an area of work or subject area for many roles.
CSE grade 1
GCSE grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*-C
Intermediate Apprenticeship
Level 2 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 2 Essential or Functional Skills
Level 2 National Certificate or Diploma
Level 2 NVQ / Level 2 ESOL
Music Grades 4 and 5
O Level Grade A, B or C
Level 3
Involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is for people wishing to go to university, working on their own or supervising others.
A Level / AS Level
Access to Higher Education Diploma
Advanced Apprenticeship
Applied General
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Level 3 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 3 National Certificate or Diploma
Level 3 NVQ / Level 3 ESOL
Music Grades 6, 7 and 8
Tech Level
Level 4
For people working in technical and professional jobs and/or managing and developing others
Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
Higher Apprenticeship
Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Level 4 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 4 NVQ
Level 5
For people working as higher grade technicians, professionals or managers
Diploma of Higher Education
Foundation Degree
Higher National Diploma (HND)
Level 5 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 5 NVQ
Level 6
Involves the achievement of high level of professional knowledge and is for people working as knowledge based/management professionals
Degree Apprenticeship
Degree with Honours e.g. Batchelor of the Arts (BA) hons; Batchelor of Science (BSc) hons
Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma
Level 6 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 6 NVQ
Ordinary Degree without honours
Level 7
Integrated Master’s Degree e.g. Master of Engineering (MEng)
Level 7 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Level 7 NVQ
Master’s Degree eg MA or MSc
Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma
Postgraduate Certificate in Education PGCE
Level 8
Doctorate e.g. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD or DPhil)
Level 8 Award, Certificate or Diploma
Salaries starting from £12,000+
Salaries starting from £12,000+
Salaries starting from £14,000+
Salaries starting from £17,000+
Salaries starting from £20,000+
Salaries starting from £25,000+
Salaries starting from £28,000+
Salaries starting from 30,000+
Salaries starting from £35,000+
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