Careers in transition: funded places are helping engineers join the energy transition

When you’re highly qualified, but not in the sector for you...

Jolanda, a trained chemical engineer working in the oil industry, wanted to move into a career in the energy transition but lacked background knowledge.

“Working in the energy transition was the dream,” explains Jolanda, “but after my Masters in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, I started a job as a chemist for an oil and gas company.” She worked in the labs for four years before deciding to take a leap into a career change. “I wasn’t totally against oil and gas, and it was good practical knowledge. But I was more interested in the energy transition.”

Jolanda knew that her lack of background knowledge in the sector was an obstacle.

The solution – a funded online course in renewables

Thanks to the Scottish Government’s National Transition Training Fund (NTTF), the University of Aberdeen was able to offer 193 free places on online short courses in the 2021/2022 academic year.

Jolanda applied for one of our NTTF-funded courses in renewable energy at postgraduate level and was successful.

“I saw that this funding was available,” she recalls, “and geothermal and hydro energy was an area that I didn’t know much about at the time. I thought that my previous background as a chemical engineer would also give me applicable knowledge during the course. To have that funding was amazing, that takes away all kinds of stress.”

Jolanda admits that the online delivery factored heavily in her decision. “I think it would have been quite hard for me to be able to work and go to lectures in person. So, having everything online was a real benefit for me.”

“Both lecturers were very clear in their delivery of the course. I quite enjoyed that they ran us through a hydro design project. You come away knowing how to actually do all the calculations behind it. That has helped me in my new job.

“It was good to start off with only one module,” she adds.

Students can choose whether to study online short courses independently or build them up towards a degree.

The result – a new job helping others into energy transition careers

After completing the course, Jolanda started a new job in the energy transition sector, helping others upskill for careers renewable energy careers. The course gave her the background and the confidence that made the difference during her interview.

“I think that it impressed them that I balanced that course, in a relevant topic and at postgraduate level, and a full-time job. Since then, there are skills from Geothermal and Hydro Energy that I have been using in my work. It was complicated, but it certainly has helped me in my new job.”