Stop-motion hero Bob the Builder is returning, with Neil Morrissey reprising his role as Bob’s voice as part of a new campaign from E.ON Next.

Bob will be learning new skills that will support the UK’s energy transition as the country faces a shortfall of people with green skills to install solar panels and home batteries.

The campaign shines a light on the progress needed to support the UK’s transition to clean power, with the government targeting a decarbonised electricity system by 2030. While the products needed to transform homes are already available, people working in the sector are in short supply with research commissioned by E.ON Next revealing that around one third (31 per cent) of UK energy sector professionals believe the workforce is not yet fully equipped to install the technologies needed for the energy transition.

At the same time, 89 per cent say that upskilling the existing workforce will be just as important as attracting new talent to meet future demand. Looking ahead, energy sector professionals also believe greater investment in green skills will deliver tangible benefits, with job creation (67 per cent), reduced carbon emissions (66 per cent) and lower energy bills (64 per cent) emerging as the top three advantages.

Bob is a changed man (puppet anyway) too, taking up yoga and birdwatching, before a trip to Australia encourages him to explore the opportunities created by clean power innovation. Inspired by the country's widespread use of technologies such as solar panels and home batteries, Bob returns to the UK determined to learn new skills.

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