Based in Scotland, the Renewable Energy Institute has been working to promote best practice in renewable energy and energy efficiency since 1975. The renewable energy industry is growing rapidly, and it is important to have knowledge of the latest developments to remain at the cutting edge of the industry.

The Renewable Energy Institute offers the Accredited Master in Renewable Energy Award which is completely flexible, and is made up of 13 course modules which have been created by leading experts who teach at leading universities. These are the institute’s recommendations for professional development.

1. Training and technical knowledge
The Renewable Energy Institute’s online courses are open to participants worldwide, regardless of which country or time zone they live in. With 24/7 access to all the course materials, including the tutorial videos taken from the live classroom courses, participants can study from any location, whenever it suits them.

The Institute’s short intensive professional development courses which are measured by CPD (Continuous Professional Development) Hours and accredited by the CPD Accreditation Service are aimed at professionals or individuals looking to move into the renewable energy sector or progress their careers. 

This attracts a high calibre of participants who are in regular attendance for both classroom courses and distance learning. For a more interactive online study experience, participants can sign up for an intensive live virtual classroom course, where they can network with other participants around the globe, while attending the expert-led classes from home.

There are also free resources which can be accessed online, in order to supplement their technical renewable energy knowledge. Free renewable energy resources are an excellent way to learn about regulations and global developments, while accessing more in-depth analysis of their particular areas of focus.

2. Network, network, network
Attending conferences, training programmes and seminars is a great way to meet people in similar fields and an important way of hearing about new opportunities in the sector to advance your renewable energy career.

The Renewable Energy Institute hosts several events and conferences throughout the year to bring together key industry players, experts, and participants to promote discourse within the industry.

The ability to share ideas with people who are already advanced in the renewable energy industry, or who are in a different field, can be a very useful way to increase knowledge and learn about new opportunities. These events can provide the chance to interact with renewable energy experts who are at the forefront of their fields and are shaping the growth of the industry.

Prior to Cop26 taking place, the Institute hosted an informative discussion surrounding climate action and decarbonisation, relating to Cop26 goals and objectives. A roundtable discussion between industry experts to analyse the outcomes from Cop26 and discuss what we as individuals and companies can take away from this conference is planned.

3. Update online profile

It is important for participants to demonstrate their latest achievements (in work and education) in their online profiles. This might include displaying their degree, Galileo Master Certificate (GMC) or other relevant professional training that they have completed in the renewable energy industry.

4. Future-proof career development

The growth of the industry means that renewable energy careers are now a long-term development option. How to succeed in the renewable energy industry is therefore a vital question to ask. 
As part of this development, participants should measure their career progression with the amount of CPD hours that they are completing. This is where a body like the Renewable

Energy Institute can be invaluable, by providing a benchmark of people’s progression against their industry peers, as well as offering a point of status and support for professionals in the industry. The Renewable Energy Institute Membership Programme provides levels of membership to work towards as part of peoples’ professional development and is a source of beneficial industry information and support as you progress their career in the renewable energy industry.

Well-rounded knowledge of the main technologies and financial impacts is vital as part of a long-term career plan. To provide this service to professionals in the industry, the Renewable Energy Institute offers the Accredited Master in Renewable Energy Award (18-month global programme) which is completely flexible, combining online and classroom study, and is made up of 13 course modules which have been created by experts who teach at leading universities.


5. Keep up with industry news
Watching and reading the news is a great way to keep up with major changes in the renewable energy industry. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn feeds make it simple to catch the latest news during your commute, or at convenient times during your day. Google Alerts make it easy to receive updates on specific topics, such as solar photovoltaics or wind power.

Expert knowledge is invaluable during projects, interviews and pitches, and identifies you as proficient in the field. Academic journals and websites offer an in-depth technical perspective of developments in the renewable energy sector. Participants are advised to read technical articles, whether they are entering the industry or are an established professional. The Energy Learning Journal is a free resource which collates articles from a wide variety of renewable energy academics, providing an important overview of opportunities and technological innovations to aid your career development.

6. Strengthen management skills
As peoples’ careers develop, management skills will become an increasingly vital part of their skillset, in any industry. Technical knowledge is usually the focus for professionals in the industry, rather than managerial skills. Neglecting your professional development can make it harder to access managerial positions in the future.

As a result, the Renewable Energy Institute offers an Accredited Project Management course designed to help professionals looking to advance in their sector, available both in the classroom and as Distance Learning.

This course has received acclaim from past participants as an excellent way to gain management skills and advance your career. There is a wide array of topics available to study within Renewable Energy, and the Institute is proud to promote best practice within the industry with a range of resources available for participants aiming to advance their career.

Email training@renewableinstitute.org, call 0131 446 9479, or visit us at https://www.renewableinstitute.org for more information.