Energy and Mining

The increasing focus on renewable and energy security means there is likely to be high demand for skilled graduates in this sector.

Check out the professional bodies’ own entries in the Profession Finder

There are a number of professional bodies covering these sectors.  Here you will find information on:

• Jobs and salaries
• Routes and Qualifications
• Funding

Jobs and Salaries

Energy

The energy industry includes jobs in such sectors as renewables, energy efficiency in buildings, energy policy, power generation, oil & gas, nuclear, fuels for use in transport. For more information about jobs in the energy industry please explore the Job Search pages, selecting ‘energy and mining’ from the drop-down list, as well as exploring the Energy Institute's jobs website. 

Read more information about the energy industry from The Energy Institute

Mining

What is the quarrying industry like?

Routes and Qualifications

Energy

There are many training opportunities available within the energy profession.  The Energy Institute offers details on courses aimed at professionals, young professionals and school pupils. For information, see this guide to energy education and training.

Mining

The Institute of Quarrying provides information on approved qualifications and training within the quarrying profession.

The Cambourne School of Mines also offers courses on mining and other related fields, including geology, minerals processing and applied geotechnics.

Funding

Energy

There are many options for funding and scholarships. 

Individual establishments may also offer their own scholarships or help with funding. 

Mining

Although scholarships and funding are not offered, major quarrying companies do sponsor students at the University of Derby and occasionally at other institutions. 

How big is this sector?

• The sector itself is massive and is fragmented into a number of specialist industries which vary in size from the very large (e.g. oil and gas) to other much smaller (e.g. coal).
• Currently there are over 6000 companies involved in the refining, marketing and distributing of Oil and Gas in the UK. These companies provide employment for around 350,000 people.
• The nuclear industry employs around 50,000 people in the UK and there is a need to recruit a further 9,000 graduates over the next decade to maintain existing operations.
• The Coal industry employs around 5,600 people the majority of whom work in England.

Where can I work?

• UK oil comes mainly from the North Sea and off the coasts of Aberdeen, Suffolk, Norfolk, Liverpool and Morecambe Bay. There are opportunities to work overseas as the UK is acknowledged for expertise in the area of deep-water technology and specialists are in demand all over the world. Oil exploration takes place in many other remote areas of the globe and most oil and gas companies are global businesses.
• Otherwise jobs are mostly based in regional offices or on-site at power stations.

What do employers look for?

• There is a constant demand for high-quality graduate applicants across the industries for the foreseeable future. A wide range of technical, commercial and support opportunities are available. Most employers have comprehensive graduate recruitment web pages containing a wealth of information about graduate opportunities. Employers visit universities to give presentations and attend careers fairs.
• Flexibility and adaptability are essential, in addition to high levels of mathematical, scientific and technological skills. Health and safety awareness is desirable, although training is normally provided. This may be developed during work experience placements.
• Employers look for graduates who can manage technical challenges and work well in teams. Candidates need to demonstrate strong verbal and written communication, presentation skills, IT skills, analytical and problem solving skills. These skills can be developed throughout your studies and extracurricular activities.