Building the Green Workforce of the Future

Sureserve and New College Lanarkshire Launch Bespoke Solar Apprenticeship

One way in which we are investing in green skills and innovating our approach to training is by developing a dedicated solar PV apprenticeship programme.

Where traditionally both a qualified electrician and a roofing professional are required to install solar PV panels, this new qualification will enable one person to do it all by blending roofing and electrical skills into a single qualification pathway. 

The initiative is being delivered via Sureserve Energy Services, which is spearheading a new partnership with North Lanarkshire Council and New College Lanarkshire to develop the programme. 

It not only aims to tackle the green skills gap but also improve long-term employment and enable the council to meet its ambitious decarbonisation goals.

At the heart of the project is a five-year contract to install solar PV and battery systems across North Lanarkshire Council’s housing stock – the largest council-owned social housing portfolio in Scotland. 

In addition to the technical delivery, we have committed to investing in local talent through the bespoke apprenticeship model.

Charity partnership

To ensure the scheme reaches those who stand to benefit most, Sureserve is working in partnership with Routes to Work – a local employability charity closely aligned with North Lanarkshire Council. 

Routes to Work will act as the principal recruitment gateway for new entrants, helping to identify and support individuals – particularly those furthest from the labour market – into the apprenticeship pipeline. 

The charity will also facilitate access to local funding streams, ensuring the programme remains inclusive and financially sustainable.

Scoping out the opportunity 

At the time of writing, the project is still in an early stage and the delivery model is being refined. 

In the interim, Sureserve will recruit electrical apprentices who will then complete bolt-on, certificated training modules that cover solar-specific and roofing competencies. This phased approach will be developed in parallel with a formal SVQ/NVQ qualification, ensuring both rigour and flexibility.

A Memorandum of Agreement is being drawn up between Sureserve and New College Lanarkshire to formalise the collaboration. The agreement will commit both parties to jointly develop and deliver skills programmes aligned with the UK’s green transition agenda. 

Potential to scale

Not only does this partnership serve the immediate needs of the North Lanarkshire Council contract but it also sets the foundation for a scalable model that can be replicated nationwide via the Sureserve Academy.

In addition to training new entrants, the idea of the partnership is to create opportunities for existing Sureserve staff. 

Discussions are under way to enrol current managers into New College Lanarkshire’s Digital Business Leadership programme – a remote-access, fully funded course that can take participants to degree level. 

This opens up career development pathways that align with the transformation of the energy and housing sectors.

David Black, head of operations at Sureserve Energy Services, says the initiative is rooted in a clear ethos: “We’re not interested in ticking boxes. This is about giving people a real career path. 

“If someone comes in as an apprentice and wants to stay in solar, great. If they want to move into another part of the business – whether that be electrical compliance, retrofit coordination, or management – we’ll support them. Our job is to create those pathways and make sure they’re attainable.”

By combining practical delivery with skills investment and legacy thinking, we plan to demonstrate a model of long-term social value in public procurement. 

While the contract is still subject to final award procedures at the time of writing, work is already well under way to ensure apprenticeships can begin in 2025.

The partnership with New College Lanarkshire is also exploring wider collaboration in areas such as social media, community engagement, and live project documentation – bringing further value to learners and residents alike.

This isn’t just about putting panels on roofs. It’s about opportunity, legacy, and building a workforce ready for the net zero future.