Solar panel specialist set to recruit 65 more staff

SOLAR panel installer Redsky Solar has announced 65 new jobs in its home town St Helens in the next two years, nearly doubling the size of it workforce.

The company was launched as an arm of its business by local roofing contractor Longworth, which has a 150-year-old association with the town, less than 12 months ago.

Redsky aims to build on the firm’s roofing expertise to offer solar panel installation to domestic, commercial and public sector buildings.

The new operation has already won substantial contracts to install solar panels on schools, hospitals and businesses across the country and is confident of further growth over the next two years.

Managing director of Longworth and Redsky Solar, Paul Smith, said: “The Longworth Group has been a successful North West business, operating nationally for more than 150 years and with demand for renewable energy growing, we believe it is important to develop a strong skills base in the renewables sector here in St Helens.

“There has never been a more exciting time to join the solar industry and new recruits  at Redsky Solar will have the opportunity to gain experience and skills which will be in high demand in the future.

“St Helens has always been at the forefront of industrial innovation and Redsky Solar is proud to be continuing in that tradition by helping organisations  all over the UK embrace cleaner, greener energy.”

Smith said jobs created across the business will include apprenticeships. The company currently employs 80 staff.