31 Oct 2024

The Green Skills Revolution: Building a Workforce for the Future of Energy

Oaklin

The global shift towards cleaner, more sustainable energy systems is not only a technological and infrastructure innovation challenge but a monumental workforce transition. As governments push forward with necessary, ambitious carbon reduction targets, policy frameworks are catalysing large-scale investments in renewable energy, energy storage, grid modernisation, and smart technologies. But to turn these goals into reality, the workforce needs a radically different skillset.

Today’s energy transition has created an unprecedented demand for skilled professionals, engineers, data scientists, project managers, and sustainability experts, who can design, implement, and maintain complex energy systems. This transition is expected to open substantial job opportunities, with the Climate Change Committee estimating that by 2030, low-carbon sectors could generate between 135,000 and 725,000 net new jobs [1]. The energy transition presents a new workforce challenge, but we’ve navigated similar shifts before. In the past global economies have transformed work patterns, such as the shift toward a service-oriented economy over the past century. It is achievable with the right policies, actions and incentives.

In this article, I will explore some of the critical skills required for the energy transition, and how close collaboration between the public and private sectors can help build the workforce needed for the future.

Solar Panels

Understanding the skills demands of the energy transition

The energy transition is a multifaceted and complex process that requires a shift not only in energy sources but also in the infrastructure, technologies, and methods used to generate, store, consume and manage that energy. These changes demand a unique set of skills. Below are some of the most critical areas where talent will be needed:

1. Grid modernisation and smart grid expertise

Integrating renewable energy into our existing energy grid is a significant challenge, primarily because traditional grids were designed for centralised power generation from fossil fuels. The energy transition requires the modernisation of these grids to handle the distributed and variable nature of renewable energy sources.

Engineers with expertise in grid design, power systems, and renewable energy integration will play a key role in this change. The development of smart grid technologies, which use digital communication to monitor and manage energy flows, is essential. Smart grids can enable the efficient use of renewable energy, reduce waste, and improve reliability. Skills in Internet of Things (IoT) systems, wireless communication, and real-time data processing will be crucial to building grids capable of handling the complexities of a decarbonised energy system. Organisations like GE Vernova have built skills academies to ensure their teams, and their customers are equipped with vital skills in areas such as automation and industrial communication [2]. More companies can adopt this sort of approach and capitalise on the opportunities of the energy transition.

2. Energy data analytics and cybersecurity

The energy transition will produce vast amounts of data, from smart meters tracking consumption to sensors monitoring renewable energy generation. Data engineers and data scientists will be critical in turning this data into actionable insights that can optimise energy use, improve efficiency, and predict future demand patterns.

At the same time, as energy systems become more connected and digitalised, the threat of cyberattacks increases. Cybersecurity expertise will be crucial in protecting energy infrastructure from these risks. Engineers skilled in data security, encryption, and secure communication will be vital to ensuring that critical energy systems remain safe from malicious actors. Good cyber talent is already in short supply and therefore much more needs to be done to build this capability into our workforce.

3. Sustainability and environmental science

As we transition to a greener energy system, it is critical that any environmental impacts of new infrastructure is properly understood and managed. Experts in sustainability science, life cycle analysis, and environmental engineering will play a key role in ensuring that renewable energy projects are both sustainable and efficient. Government funds such as Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) are enabling research investments in this area [3], as the regulator acknowledges how assessing impacts on ecosystems, water resources, and land use will be vital for the responsible development of new energy projects.

At the same time, professionals in carbon accounting and sustainability reporting will be increasingly in demand as companies and governments track their progress towards carbon neutrality. These experts will help navigate the increasingly stringent environmental regulations that accompany the energy transition.

Two workers, blue skies

Building the workforce of the future: A collaborative effort

Government policies are central to shaping the demand for new skills. For example, the UK government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution [4] outlines key areas for investment, including offshore wind, hydrogen production, and electric vehicles, all of which require a massive scaling of the workforce. To support continued action on green jobs, the Green Jobs Delivery Group [5] acts as the central forum, working collaboratively with government, industry, the skills and education sector, local government, trade unions and other key stakeholders. It is this group that committed to produce a Net Zero and Nature Workforce Action Plan this year, following a pledge in the Powering Up Britain Plan [6].

We need to recognise that delivering the energy transition will require more than simply just policy initiatives; it requires a concerted effort to build the workforce of the future. Below are some key strategies for meeting the energy skills challenge we face:

1. Upskilling the existing workforce

One of the most immediate solutions to the skills gap is to upskill and reskill the current workforce. Many professionals in traditional energy sectors, such as oil and gas, have skills that can be transferred to renewable energy and grid modernisation projects. Companies that offer targeted training programmes can help workers pivot into roles within the green economy. For example, teaching traditional engineers about renewable energy integration or training IT professionals in energy data analytics can effectively bridge the skills gap while capitalising on existing expertise. Indeed, it is no accident that GB Energy, the UK’s new state-owned renewable energy company, is headquartered in Aberdeen, the historic home of the Oil and Gas industry in Scotland. The wealth of transferrable skills, including expertise in working offshore, available in places such as Aberdeen holds huge potential for greener industries.

2. Strengthening partnerships with educational institutions

Collaboration between energy companies, governments, and educational institutions is crucial to developing the workforce of the future. Universities, colleges, and vocational training programs must adapt their offerings to reflect the changing needs of the energy sector. Subjects such as renewable energy engineering, IoT, and energy data management should be integrated into engineering and technical programs to ensure students are prepared for green energy careers.

Apprenticeship programmes that offer hands-on experience in renewable energy technologies can also play a critical role in helping students transition from theoretical learning to practical application, for example Shell’s renewable energy apprenticeship programme that builds these skills in the early career workforce [7].

3. Promoting diversity and inclusion in energy careers

It has been shown across a wide range of industries that diverse workforces yield better results. The energy sector, however, has historically struggled to attract a diverse workforce with just 2% of the industry identifying as black as an example [8]. As we look towards a more sustainable future, it is essential that the industry fosters greater diversity and inclusion.

Organisation’s such as Energyz Black are trying to improve this statistic by promoting the need for black role models in energy [9]. Creating more inclusive pathways into energy careers, such as mentorship programs, paid internships, and outreach initiatives, will help widen the talent pool and ensure that a broad range of perspectives contribute to solving the challenges of the energy transition. The ‘Grid for Good’ initiative driven by National Grid is an example of how alongside their supply chain partners, National Grid, are supporting underserved young people, aged 16-25, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds by offering training and employment opportunities [10]. Other fantastic initiatives, such as ‘Girls in Energy’, a hands-on engineering programme aiming to inspire young women to pursue a career in energy, are the types of programmes that are vital to ensuring female talent in energy is nurtured [11].

Conclusion: The road ahead

The energy transition represents an opportunity to secure our planet’s longevity for generations to come. It is the most significant shift in how the world generates, distributes, and consumes energy we have ever seen, and represents a fundamental re-wiring of the global economy. Achieving the ambitious goals set by governments globally will require urgently addressing the critical skills gap that exists today. By investing in education, upskilling, diversity initiatives, and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, we can build the workforce necessary to meet the challenges of the energy transition head-on.

In doing so, we not only secure the success of the transition but also set a precedent for other industries navigating the complexities of a digital, decarbonised future. With a well-equipped workforce, the energy transition can become the foundation for long-term economic growth and environmental sustainability.

To learn how Oaklin can support your workforce in bridging the energy skills gap, contact Katie Kelly.

Katie Kelly, Associate Partner, Oaklin
Katie Kelly, Associate Partner, Oaklin