Top Green Skills in Demand: Exploring the Renewable Energy Job Market

In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "The earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed." This is a perfect quote to explain the urgency to shift towards renewable sources. We have come to realize the finite fossil fuel reserves and the detrimental effects of their combustion on our planet. Renewable energy slows down environmental degradation and helps in energy security, innovation, and economic growth. It is a call for harmony between humanity and nature.

A check on the renewable energy job market

The United Nations indicates that the world economy is experiencing a shift towards sustainability. The sectors such as energy, transportation, and construction are embracing greener practices. This transition will generate an additional 24 million green jobs worldwide by 2030. There will be a surge in demand for workers skilled in green practices. But the supply of such skilled workers is lagging. The necessity for green skills extends into various other industries including economics, finance, security, market and geopolitical analysis, communications, social sciences, and law.

What are green jobs that need green skills?

Jobs that contribute to reducing energy and resource consumption, curb greenhouse gas emissions, minimize waste and pollution, and safeguard ecosystems are known as green jobs. The shift towards green jobs is driven by global efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, led by governments and businesses as per the World Economic Forum.

Green skills are versatile and applicable across various industries same as the digital skills. For instance, skills like carbon accounting find utility in diverse sectors, from consulting to waste management. Green skills are not confined to green industries as they are integral to roles in seemingly unrelated sectors such as plumbing engineering or utilities management. The demand for green skills is on the rise within India. The key sectors include renewable energy, information technology, electric vehicles, healthcare, and the BFSI industries.

Trending green jobs in 2024

• Renewable Energy Engineers who specialize in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
• Energy Auditors to assess energy usage and recommend efficiency improvements.
• Environmental Engineers who can develop solutions for pollution mitigation, waste management, and regulatory compliance.
• Sustainability Consultants to develop sustainability strategies and implement initiatives.
• Hydrologists for water resource management and conservation efforts.
• Wind Turbine Technicians for installation and maintenance of turbines.
• Solar Photovoltaic Installers are needed to assemble and maintain solar panel systems.
• Urban Planners to design sustainable and resilient urban communities.
• Environmental Scientists to research and recommend strategies for pollution prevention and ecosystem restoration.

Top Green Skills of 2024

• Energy Efficiency Knowledge to understand ways to optimize energy usage and reduce waste from engineering to facilities management.
• Sustainability Reporting to report environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics. It helps organizations communicate their sustainability performance to stakeholders.
• Carbon Accounting to estimate carbon footprints and assess emissions. It helps organizations track and manage their environmental impact.
• Knowledge of designing products, materials, and business models to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.
• Green Finance skills help to understand environmental risks and opportunities in investments. It also helps to develop financial instruments for sustainable projects crucial in green finance roles.
• Supply Chain Management skills to ensure sustainable sourcing and reduce environmental impacts throughout the supply chain.
• Renewable Energy Technological skill is needed to design, develop, and implement renewable energy systems such as solar panels and wind turbines for clean energy.

How are organizations handling green job hiring?

• Companies are including green criteria in job descriptions to attract candidates with relevant skills and experience in sustainability, renewable energy, and environmental management.
• They are collaborating with universities, colleges, and vocational training centres to develop programs that equip students with green skills. This ensures a pipeline of talent with the necessary expertise for green job roles.
• Companies are providing training and development opportunities for existing employees to acquire green skills.
• Companies are adopting recruitment strategies focused on attracting candidates with green skills.
• Companies are encouraging internal mobility by facilitating transfers and promotions for employees interested in transitioning to green job roles. This is an excellent method to retain talent and meet the organization's sustainability objectives.
• They are utilizing specialized green job platforms and websites to advertise job openings and connect with candidates specifically seeking roles in sustainability, renewable energy, and environmental conservation.
• Companies are highlighting their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship in their employer branding efforts. They showcase initiatives related to energy efficiency, waste reduction, carbon neutrality, and corporate social responsibility.
• To attract top talent in green job roles, companies are offering competitive compensation packages and benefits, including incentives for achieving sustainability targets, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

The growing demand for renewable energy professionals accentuates the importance of cultivating expertise in areas such as renewable energy technology, energy efficiency, and sustainability reporting. Green skills today will help boost the renewable energy sector and help build a sustainable world for tomorrow. ManpowerGroup specializes in providing recruitment services tailored for the renewable energy sectors. Explore our offerings today to learn more about how we can support your staffing needs.

Communications Team
The communications team at ManpowerGroup publishes incisive blogs, articles, and white papers that are deeply rooted in the developments of the world of work. If there is a topic you would want us to address, please contact us at [email protected].
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