Net Zero Industry Wales and Techniquest join forces to inspire Wales’ next generation of clean energy talent
Net Zero Industry Wales and Techniquest join forces to inspire Wales’ next generation of clean energy talent
Net Zero Industry Wales (NZIW) has announced a strategic partnership with Cardiff-based science discovery centre Techniquest, aiming to equip young people across Wales with the skills, inspiration, and opportunities needed to thrive in the growing clean energy sector.
The collaboration will create a pipeline of educational and experiential activities for students, from primary school through to further education, exposing them to real-world clean energy careers and building the skills demanded by one of the UK’s fastest-growing industries. The initiative comes in response to a 10.1% year-on-year rise in the economic value of the net zero and energy sectors, where average wages are now 15% above the UK average.
The partnership also aligns with the UK Government’s ambition to create a ‘Clean Power Army’, reflecting a national priority to future-proof the workforce and meet sustainability targets through long-term investment in green skills and innovation.
“One in five jobs will be impacted by the transition to net zero, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero,” said Ben Burggraaf, CEO of NZIW. “This partnership is about making sure that young people in Wales are not just prepared for that shift, they’re leading it.”
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He added: “Through this collaboration, we’re offering practical, hands-on experiences, industry engagement, and visible career pathways into clean energy. It’s not just about employment, it’s about building a confident, equitable, and ambitious future workforce in Wales.”
Sue Wardle, CEO of Techniquest, said the partnership builds on the centre’s mission to make STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) engaging and accessible for all.
“We want every child in Wales, regardless of background, to see themselves in a STEM career,” she said. “Clean energy is a vital part of our collective future, and this partnership helps us break down barriers and create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of innovators.”
The partnership follows the success of EmpowerCymru, NZIW’s flagship conference held earlier this year at Techniquest, which brought together policymakers, educators, and industry leaders to address how Wales can accelerate its low-carbon transformation.
During the event, delegates participated in a mini-hackathon, where one of the strongest calls to action was the need for clearer, more engaging pathways into clean energy careers for young people.
The new partnership represents NZIW’s first formal response to that challenge, transforming insights from the conference into action.
Other key outputs from EmpowerCymru include:
- A visual legacy artwork capturing the event’s themes, which now hangs at Techniquest as a permanent inspiration piece.
- The launch of the Industry Wales/NZIW Skills Group, which will help shape a national hydrogen skills framework.
- Ongoing work to map the decarbonisation ecosystem in South Wales, providing a clearer picture of where skills and services can support industry needs.
Burggraaf added: “We’re already putting momentum behind the ideas that came out of EmpowerCymru — from building tools to growing skills and securing investment. This partnership with Techniquest is just the start. We’re committed to ensuring that the green transition is not only ambitious, but inclusive and economically transformative for Wales.”
The clean energy sector is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs across the UK over the coming decade, with regions like South Wales playing a central role in driving both industrial decarbonisation and community-led energy innovation.
