The SPARC Alliance is reshaping how the energy sector talks about careers and opportunities for young people in Pembrokeshire.

At its recent Reframing the Narrative workshop, hosted by Pembrokeshire College and RWE, local industry leaders including representation from Valero, Dragon LNG and Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, educators, and public sector representatives came together to explore how the region presents the future of energy and its workforce.

While young people often hear about 'green jobs' or 'net zero by 2050,' they don’t always see how these translate into tangible local opportunities. Workshop participants agreed that practical, honest, and relatable messages are vital - showing that rewarding careers in energy exist today and that skills being developed now are already valued by industry.

According to OEUK, oil and gas still supports nearly 206,000 UK jobs, with Pembrokeshire a key part of this.

The group highlighted the need for clarity on real jobs and pathways rather than distant promises; skills that matter today - from welding and project management to software development and environmental roles; and the power of real stories, with local career journeys and role models inspiring the next generation, especially young women.

Dr Mark Picton of RWE said: “By combining the strengths of our oil and gas operations with emerging technologies like floating offshore wind and hydrogen, we can create resilient energy solutions and meaningful careers for local people.”

Next steps for the SPARC Alliance include developing curriculum resources linking energy and maritime careers, sharing local success stories to inspire underrepresented groups, and publishing a Mission Statement uniting education and industry to build a future-ready Celtic Freeport workforce.

Dr Rob Hillier, SPARC Alliance Co-lead, added: “This isn’t just about preparing for future jobs—it’s about showing young people that high-quality energy careers exist right here, right now.”

For more information, contact Hayley Williams at [email protected]