An overview of renewable energy recruitment trends

From Net Zero climate goals to destabilising international relations, there are global forces at play that are transforming the energy market before our eyes—with the renewable energy sector, in particular, undergoing seismic shifts.

In the past 12 months alone, we’ve witnessed energy prices soar to unprecedented highs. Oil and gas companies are reporting ferocious profits—a stark turnaround from the barrel price collapse during COVID-19.

As for the green energy market, we’re seeing renewable energy hotspots continue to emerge in tandem with new industry trends. The trends reveal workers’ needs are changing as rapidly as the wider industry and companies are struggling to stay abreast of the shifting sands.

What does all of this mean for renewable energy recruitment?

At TRS, we have our finger on the pulse of renewables recruitment trends and have identified a couple of key findings that can help you recruit—and retain—the best talent in green energy.

Let’s explore the top trends in renewables recruitment today;

Top renewable energy recruitment trends

Talent shortage

The move away from fossil fuels has resulted in swathes of job opportunities being created in renewables.

To meet Net Zero climate goals, we need to more than triple the renewables workforce by 2030—but this isn’t something that’s going to happen in a vacuum. The renewable energy sector is an industry that requires technical expertise to succeed, and filling the talent gap can only be done alongside support from educational institutions and governments—more on that in the following sections.

The rapid growth of the renewables market only serves to widen the gap between supply and demand for talent.

With new market entrants emerging all the time—and despite the undeniable need to abandon fossil fuels, the enduring attractiveness of oil and gas companies to potential employees—competition between and within sectors is fierce.

The global number of solar panels and wind projects will quadruple. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise to hear the findings of the latest Global Talent Index Report, which show that 78% of green energy professionals are headhunted.

Salaries

The growing opportunities in renewables aside, recent trends suggest that renewable employees may be swayed towards a job in oil and gas job due to the ever-increasing salaries and benefits the industry offers.

This is a big reason why not just attraction, but retention of talent needs to be at the forefront of your hiring strategy.

Desire for meaning

With the above in mind, the current renewable energy recruitment data shows that salaries aren’t the only factor that employees are considering.

Over recent years, we’ve seen professionals increasingly seek personal fulfilment through their work.

The data tells us that people today want to work towards a greater purpose, where they feel their efforts are contributing to something of significant social value—and they’re often willing to take a pay cut in exchange.

This presents an opportunity for renewable energy recruitment agencies or companies that are in the throes of hiring a global workforce of green energy staff. By promoting the ethos, sustainable innovations, and overarching purpose of corporate missions, the most successful companies will likely be the ones who show a desire to empower their employees and offer them a role with social impact.

Need for collaboration

The latest renewable energy recruitment trends pose significant challenges to the private sector—and it’s now clear that change will only be effective through collaboration between governments, educational bodies, and commercial industry.

To meet the growing demand for talent and address the shortages, the renewables sector requires intentional funding, training and development schemes to facilitate the retraining of energy workers from different sectors.

Subsidising apprenticeships, increasing grant availability, and collaborating with financial institutions to provide funding for professionals making the transition to green energy jobs could all seek to serve this greater goal.

Educational institutions could work to make students more aware of the courses and career opportunities in renewables. Meanwhile, greater prioritisation of inclusion and diversity may bridge the gender gap, encourage more females into the sector, and reduce the talent shortage.

We’re renewables recruitment specialist

In today’s rapidly changing climate, the challenges in hiring renewable energy professionals are significant.

TRS Staffing are longstanding experts when it comes to renewable energy recruitment and can help you source the best green energy talent in the space. Simply get in touch with us or submit a brief to begin securing your top-tier green energy talent today.