Solar Energy UK
7 February 2025
Solar Energy UK is proud to announce that we will be signing the Armed Forces Covenant at this year’s National Transition Event – the largest Armed Forces community gathering of its kind in the UK.
Doing so recognises the service of veterans and reservists to the country and the valuable contribution they are making to the solar and storage sectors.
The covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. As part of our commitment, we have launched a case study to demonstrate how recruiting veterans has delivered a “world-class team” for one of Solar Energy UK’s members, 2DegreesKelvin.[1]
The National Transition Event is run by charity Mission Community, which is responsible for Mission Renewable – the Armed Forces engagement initiative for the renewable energy sector. Others who support the event include the Ministry of Defence, the Office for Veterans Affairs, well-known companies and other trade bodies such as RenewableUK.
To be held at Silverstone on 24 February, it provides a unique opportunity to engage with the Armed Forces community and learn how they can benefit from engaging with a thriving sector. The wide variety of both technical and people skills that are in abundance in the Armed Forces offers them significant advantages to our industry.
We strongly encourage members to see for themselves by attending, or booking a stand at the event – and to sign the Armed Forces Covenant themselves.
The signing ceremony will be conducted by Solar Energy UK Chief Executive Chris Hewett.
“I am proud to be giving Solar Energy UK’s formal backing to the Armed Forces Covenant. I know that the Armed Forces community are already playing a significant role in the industry, helping to fulfil a need for installers and other skilled people across the sector. I very much expect that contribution will grow in the future, as the sector expands and employers increasingly understand the value of veterans,” he said.
The Armed Forces Covenant can be tailored to suit an organisation, and has two principles in its core in that those from the Armed Forces should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens and that special consideration may be appropriate in certain circumstances.
Aside from collaborating with Mission Renewable, Solar Energy UK has also pledged to work with the Career Transition Partnership and the Forces Employment Charity, to support the recruitment of veterans young and old among our members.
“We are delighted that Solar Energy UK has chosen this flagship event to advocate for its sector on behalf of its members, and this will no doubt encourage others to do the same. We look forward to continuing to help them on their journey with Armed Forces engagement,” said Duncan Forde, Armed Forces Engagement Lead at Mission Renewable.
Solar Energy UK’s relationship with Mission Renewable and the National Transition Event is delivered through Solar Careers UK, a key initiative under the forthcoming UK Government/Industry Solar Roadmap. The programme focuses on promoting career opportunities, supporting recruitment and enhancing skills in the solar and energy storage workforce.
Sturge Mazzocchi, Head of the Solar Careers Programme at Solar Energy UK, said, “Signing the Armed Forces Covenant marks a significant step in our commitment to creating real career pathways for the Armed Forces service leavers, veterans, reservists, cadets and their families to enter the thriving solar industry. Through our Solar Careers Programme, we are dedicated to supporting and guiding them as they transition into civilian life and build their future career.”
Our case study, From Sergeant Major to Solar Operative, tells the story of Anthony, who left the Army as a Sergeant Major in 2023 after 22 years’ service. He went on to join Solar Energy UK member 2DegreesKelvin.
“Although not being able to offer any solar qualifications, I felt I had all the necessary attributes any organisation would search for: hardworking, punctuality, problem solver, agile thinker, leadership, pride, attention to detail, to name a few. The interview was a success and 2DK appreciated my willingness to learn and apply myself to their cause, and so my solar career started,” he wrote.
He later brought two further veterans on board.
“Personally, I could not be happier with my decision to pursue a career within the solar industry and genuinely believe it would be very well suited to ex-forces and service leavers alike and should be a consideration as a solid future career path after the military,” Davidson added.
2DegreesKelvin Founder & CEO John Davies said, “From the interview, we knew we’d found attributes in Anthony that would be transferable to our specialist solar services. With a robust training plan in not only our mobile laboratories but other advanced inspection and testing disciplines, and a training plan towards electrical competency, Anthony has come into his own, being recently promoted to Field Services Team Leader, and being instrumental in onboarding two further ex-forces team members to form a world class service. Employing and developing ex-forces personnel will remain a central part of our growth strategy going forward.”
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Editor’s notes:
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Gareth Simkins, Senior Communications Adviser
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Gareth Simkins
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