Natural energy resources like strong winds, waves and tides make Scotland's chances of becoming an international contender in the growing renewable energy market look very promising. The challenge for the country now is ensuring that it has sufficient numbers of people with the right skills to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

This is the key issue for the new Scottish-based strategy development manager with responsibility for the skills agenda within the renewable energy sector who took up post earlier this month. Jo Knight, who was most recently head of research at Sector Skills Council Energy and Utility Skills, has been appointed the new strategy development manager following a competitive selection process.

Previously research manager at the Gas and Water Industries National Training Organisation, she has a further nine years' experience in the water industry. The post is jointly funded by Energy and Utility Skills and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and will enable a strategy to be drawn up aimed at improving the renewable energy sector's performance through the alignment of government and regional policies with workforce development needs.

Based in the Inverness offices of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Jo will work closely with relevant stakeholders in the Highlands and Islands and across the rest of Scotland and the UK. This is a senior level appointment and will mean that the skills needs of sector employers can be first identified and then met through a series of cost effective and appropriate solutions.

Jo Knight said, "The renewable energy sector is developing at a great pace, particularly in Scotland, and it is therefore vital that it has robust plans in place to recruit and maintain a competent and appropriately skilled workforce. I am looking forward to the challenge that this will present, and ask for employer and stakeholder support in creating a comprehensive suite of skills delivery programmes to meet the industry's most pressing needs".

Alex Paterson, developing skills director with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said the new post complemented a series of other efforts by the agency to capitalise on the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy.

"There are real benefits to be won for Scotland if we can establish a solid skills base, along with manufacturing and research opportunities and supply chain development. Getting these various elements right is at the core of Highlands and Islands Enterprise's strategy for renewable energy and this new post is a further step towards achieving a significant presence in the international renewables market."