UK youth embrace green skills pathways with 500% more youth applying for apprenticeships at E.ON

As the UK Government prepares to step up its youth employment schemes to 50,000 places over the next three years, data from E.ON UK points to a growing appetite for alternative pathways into work, with UK school leavers actively seeking out green skills and future-focused career paths.

With apprenticeship applications now open for the next E.ON intake until the 2^nd February 2026, the energy supplier and sustainable solutions provider says it has seen a 500% increase in interest for its apprenticeship programmes since 2023. With more young people seeking opportunities that blend paid work with hands-on training, this trend is in line with broader attitudes on what young people are seeking from their careers.

Last year, research[1] from E.ON found that more than one in three UK school leavers now opt for work and/or work-based learning over traditional higher education routes, with nearly half already aspiring towards green careers. A further 52% consider roles that benefit the planet to be more valuable than those that do not, with the majority attracted to green jobs to take pride in their work (44%), closely followed by a desire to help the environment (39%).

Data from Institute of Student Employers (ISE) also found that apprenticeship vacancies were up by 8% in 2025, reflecting a broader shift in how young people and employers are approaching early careers.

Industry partnerships play a critical role in unlocking opportunity at scale. Through its longstanding collaboration with the University of Nottingham, E.ON is supporting wider access to specialist work-based training, including developing staff on new programmes such as the Electro-mechanical Engineer Degree Apprenticeship. This builds on the existing City as Lab project, which helps blend practical study with real-world experience on live energy projects for young people across the UK.

Naomi Furlonger, Early Careers Talent Consultant at E.ON UK, said: “Supporting young people to play an active role in the energy transition isn’t just about filling skills gaps, it’s about unlocking potential. Through our partnership with the University of Nottingham, we’re investing in early career pathways to give the next generation - especially women and girls - the opportunity to build meaningful careers while shaping a cleaner, fairer energy future.”

Crucially, apprenticeships are also breaking down barriers in sectors that have long lacked diversity. Programmes are increasingly opening doors for women and girls to pursue careers in STEM, offering clear progression pathways and the chance to contribute directly to the future of the UK’s clean energy system. 

Dr Elizabeth Bishop, Programme Director, Electro-Mechanical Engineer Degree Apprenticeship at University of Nottingham, said: “The clean energy transition needs fresh thinking and diverse talent. Programmes that put young people at the heart of it, fast-tracking them into hands-on roles where they can build, innovate and lead the future of sustainable industries is the key to strengthening Britain’s net zero workforce. Connections with our employer partnerships are crucial to this because together, it means we’re building a stronger, more inclusive workforce ready to drive real change.”

As the UK continues to push for sustainable growth and innovation, E.ON UK remains dedicated to equipping young people with the skills necessary to lead the charge.

Since 2018, the business has supported more than 1,300 apprentices across 100 programmes in the UK.