An overview of renewable energy recruitment trends

From Net Zero climate goals to pulls back toward oil and gas, 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 two years alone, we’ve witnessed energy prices soar to unprecedented highs. Oil and gas companies are reporting record 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 that the demand for clean energy is outpacing the supply and this momentum for clean energy is likely to continue in 2025.

But 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.

The renewable energy sector 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.

With solar and wind power projects growing at an accelerated pace, it comes as no surprise to hear the findings of the latest Global Talent Index Report, which show that 32% of green energy professionals have been headhunted 6 or more times.

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 fulfillment 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—71% of professionals would take a pay cut to work for a company with a mission they believe in.

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 specialists

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.

Read our other energy-related articles: 

1. How to transition into wind energy careers
2. Renewable energy jobs in California: analyzing the market
3. How many careers are there in the energy transition?
4. Job Opportunities in Belgium’s Renewable Energy Market
5. What careers involve hydrogen? Renewable jobs at TRS