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Salaries and costs
Typical pay for electricians and solar installers in the county sits around £28,000 to £40,000, with senior electrical engineers and energy managers often from £45,000 to £65,000. HV jointers and control technicians can reach higher bands where callout or shift work applies. Contractor day rates vary by ticket and site rules, with premium rates for work on live networks or confined spaces. Many staffing agencies charge a percentage fee for permanent hires, often in the mid-teens to mid-twenties, with temp mark-ups reflecting pay, holiday, and statutory costs.
Qualifications
Hiring often asks for the 18th Edition, an NVQ Level 3 in electrical installation, and an ECS card. Gas roles require Gas Safe registration. Work in hazardous areas may ask for CompEx. Wind sites look for GWO certificates with first aid and working at height. Substation and grid work can need authorisations and switching competencies set by the network operator, with CCNSG or site safety passports used on some projects.
Common job roles
Agencies place electricians, electrical mates, instrument techs, project engineers, grid connection engineers, planners, and site managers. Clean energy hiring covers solar PV installers, O&M techs, battery storage engineers, and wind turbine technicians. Utilities and water sites recruit MEICA engineers, process operators, and control room staff. Back-office needs include schedulers, document controllers, and HSQE advisors.
Local hiring challenges
Peak workloads around grid upgrades and planned outages create short notice demand for qualified labour. Many roles need specific tickets or client authorisations, which narrows the pool. Shift patterns on plants near Derby, Chesterfield, and along the A38 and M1 corridors draw candidates from a wide area, so travel and van access can affect fill speed. Winter weather in the Peak District can slow outdoor works, so project plans often front-load resource.
Regional and geographic notes
Derby, Chesterfield, Ilkeston, and Long Eaton act as commuter hubs, with links via the M1, A50, and A38. Pride Park and nearby business parks hold engineering employers and recruiters. Markham Vale near Junction 29A supports logistics and light manufacturing that connect into energy projects, while rural sites across the Dales and High Peak host wind, solar, and water assets. East Midlands Airport sits close by for teams moving kit and specialists.
Key sectors and employers in the region
Power networks, water and wastewater, and low-carbon projects lead the brief list of active areas. Substations, overhead lines, and distribution depots around Derbyshire keep lines and plant teams busy. Water treatment and energy recovery sites in and around Derby add steady demand for MEICA and process skills. Nuclear-linked engineering in Derby supports specialist design, manufacturing, and safety roles, feeding niche executive search and technical recruitment.
Temporary, permanent, and contract work
Employers mix permanent hires for continuity with contractors for shutdowns, fit-outs, and seasonal peaks. Temps suit metering drives, panel builds, and installation blitzes. Permanent staff give stability on compliance, training, and retention. Agencies advise on the right route, set clear rates or salaries, and outline recruitment fees so budgets align with programme dates.
Entry requirements and training
For craft roles, employers look for Level 2 or 3 technical certificates, site safety training, and recent experience on similar plant. Graduates enter through electrical, mechanical, energy, or environmental degrees, then build site exposure through placements. Many agencies know local training providers who deliver the 18th Edition, GWO, confined space, or water hygiene, which helps jobseekers bridge gaps and helps businesses keep projects moving.
Roles and career paths
A common path runs from mate to electrician to approved or maintenance lead, then into supervisor or site manager. Engineers move from graduate to project or design engineer, then into senior engineer or project manager. Compliance and asset management open routes into energy management and grid connection planning. Candidates who gain client authorisations and high-risk permits widen their options and raise pay.
Quick facts / FAQs
Which energy roles are in demand in Derbyshire right now?
Substation, OHL, solar O&M, and water treatment roles see steady demand, with spikes around outages and new connections.
What should employers prepare for before briefing a recruiter?
A clear scope, tickets needed, shift pattern, site rules, PPE, and travel or digs, plus an outline of pay or budget.
How fast can agencies place for urgent cover?
Same-day cover is common for vetted temps, while senior engineers and authorised staff may take longer where client approvals apply.
Do agencies cover the whole county?
Yes, most work across Derby, Chesterfield, Amber Valley, Erewash, South Derbyshire, High Peak, Bolsover, and Derbyshire Dales, with travel agreed in advance.
What contract lengths are typical?
Shutdowns can be a week to a month, framework roles run for many months, and permanent posts set long term stability for teams.
How agencies help local employers and jobseekers
Recruitment agencies match local employers with vetted candidates who hold the right tickets and site experience. Employers gain faster shortlists, payroll for temps, and guidance on rates and recruitment fees. Jobseekers gain access to a wider job market, clear pay rates, and routes to register with an agency that understands plant rules and commuter links across the county.