The government should do more to back renewable energy recruitment, it has been suggestedBritain's coalition government and the energy industry should both be more "proactive" to increase the number of young people working in the sector, according to an expert.

Zoe Robinson, ethical development manager at Warren Evans, suggested the Conservative-Liberal Democrat alliance can play a crucial role in meeting the needs of young job hunters, but urged companies to display more initiative themselves.

"I would like to see more training and opportunities for those who don't go to university," she said. "The government has said it wants to be the greenest government ever. To achieve that, it has to invest to help create jobs."

However, Ms Robinson observed that cuts in public spending could conflict with the coalition's stated aim of boosting the production of renewable energy and questioned whether its actions match its rhetoric.

Managers wondering how to attract and nurture young talent may wish to book a place at the Talent Management and Development Summit 2010, which takes place at Aldersgate House in London in October.

Posted by Colette Paxton