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Member News: The Search is On for the UK & Europe’s ‘My Energy Future Champions’ 2026

November 6, 2025
Member News: The Search is On for the UK & Europe’s ‘My Energy Future Champions’ 2026

My Energy Future, powered by OPITO, has today (Tuesday 4th November) launched a new global programme that showcases young professionals who represent the future of the energy workforce. It challenges perceptions by sharing real stories, real experiences and real ambition from those already shaping the sector.

Across the UK and Europe, the journey to Net Zero and the development of new energy technologies are creating exciting career opportunities. My Energy Future’s 2026 Champions will help showcase the region’s leadership in energy transition, share their own career stories and inspire the future generation to consider a career in energy. The Champions will begin in January 2026, acting as influential voices across the My Energy Future platform, online and in-person, supporting My Energy Future’s mission to inspire and inform the next generation, encouraging them to explore careers in the global energy industry, and empowering them to share a sustainable energy future.

The industry is changing fast, but misconceptions still deter many from pursuing energy careers. Champions will help bridge that gap by speaking openly about their routes into the sector, the opportunities they’ve accessed and the future they see ahead. They will inspire future talent by showing that the industry is innovative, inclusive and full of possibilities – from apprenticeships and higher education routes to career changes and skills-based training. 

The programme was developed following the ’My Energy Future Barriers of Entry to Energy Sector’ global report, published at the end of 2024, which highlighted the main barriers to entry for young people. The unique analysis, commissioned by OPITO, draws from survey data involving 4,000 participants from across the globe and provides insight into the key barriers to entering a career in the energy sector. Approximately 37% of respondents indicated a lack of knowledge as a barrier (Source: My Energy Future – Industry Research  – OPITO).

Champions will be recruited from across:

  • UK/Europe
  • North America
  • Middle East & Africa
  • Asia-Pacific
  • South America

Their stories will speak to:

  • Young people and students exploring careers
  • Apprentices and early-career professionals
  • Career changers
  • Employers and educators
  • Broader society and influencers

Diversity across gender, background, job role, company size and energy discipline is central to the programme.

Hazel Lince, VP of Strategic Partnerships for OPITO UK/Europe, says, “The UK and Europe are leading the way in the journey to Net Zero, and we need young professionals who can champion the opportunities this brings. Our Champions will help change perceptions, celebrate diverse career paths and inspire others to build a future in energy.”

Young Professional Champions will ideally be:

  • Under 30
  • Working in, training for or apprenticing within the energy sector
  • Experienced with 2–3 years within the industry
  • Confident communicators

Candidates should be relatable, positive and comfortable using social media, creating video content, attending events and sharing their story. Enthusiasm, openness and authenticity matter more than job title.

To register your interest as an individual on becoming a My Energy Future Champion, or if you are an employer who wants to find out more about supporting the programme, visit https://www.myenergyfuture.global/my-energy-future-champions/

Get in touch

AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

Contact Us
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AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables
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Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
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The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy
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Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall
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Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise