| 43 SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS Ecotricity Massive growth in solar energy Karen Phelps Staff at Ecotricity can purchase their own e-bike, mostly funded by the company, after a year working in the business. Ecotricity’s bid to do its best to shape a better and cleaner New Zealand also extends to its staff. The company is carbon zero certified, part of the Sustainable Business Network and Living Wage Certified. Company CEO Al Yates says he always aims to go further in terms of taking care of his team. “We value our staff and want to ensure they’re in a financial position to enjoy life and support their families,” says Al. “Becoming Living wage Certified was the right thing to do for our team.” Ecotricity was born in 2014 from a vision to provide Kiwis with cleaner energy options for future generations, an ethos that continues to be at the heart of the company. Al says that the renewable energy industry is giving birth to some amazing career opportunities. In particular solar energy has experienced massive growth and is on an upward trajectory. “To put it in perspective there are around 600-700 solar installations happening in New Zealand each month, mainly residential but now increasingly commercial. Solar farming also represents opportunity on a larger scale and there are many solar farms in development as we speak,” he says. While traditionally these have been smaller in scale – half to two megawatts – many five100 megawatt farms will be developed going forward, he says. “They are massive and will change the energy mix of New Zealand in a very short space of time.” People wanting to work in the solar energy field can gain qualifications via solar PV and storage training courses offered by the School of Engineering, Energy and Infrastructure at Western Institute Technology Taranaki (WITT). WITT offers three short courses, which, upon successful completion, achieve the appropriate NZQA framework registered micro-credentials. The courses build upon one another and include self-directed online learning as well as in-person at the WITT Taranaki Campus. In addition Al says that solar installers throughout the country are desperately in need of more staff and are keen to take on apprentices. Ecotricity is also looking to hire and Al says the company has a great team culture. Career advancement opportunities are also good and Ecotricity looks to actively promote staff from within to new positions. “It’s a very flat structure in the business. We’ve done that on purpose so the business can be agile and adapt to new challenges and opportunities. “Our objective is to make the work environment as enjoyable as possible.” There are also eco-perks. After a year of working with the business staff have the opportunity to purchase their own ebike, mostly funded by Ecotricity. The aim is to help staff transition away from fossil fuels. “We want to be forward thinking, sustainable and eco conscious in everything we do. Ecotricity is an exciting business to work in. “People become part of an important mission to shape a better and cleaner planet. Working here they know they are doing something really good for future generations.” We are a 100% kiwi owned and operated solar energy system service provider. We specialise in commercial businesses and solar farms. 0800 850 888 solar@trilect.co.nz CONTACT US COMMERCIAL SOLAR | SOLAR FARMS
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