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The goal to decarbonize a wide range of industries is fueling the need for experienced workers.

Kevin Clemens

December 31, 2021

2 Min Read
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The move away from fossil fuels and toward electrification of the transportation system and to renewable energy systems has resulted in a rise in hiring experienced engineers and senior managers across a range of industries, according to GlobalData, a leading data, and analytics company. GlobalData’s FutureTech Series report, Net Zero by 2050: Industrial Decarbonization Gains Momentum to Fight Climate Change, reveals the hiring trends of major companies in some of the emission-intensive industries.

“The recent boom around earth-saving technologies for renewable power generation, energy efficiency, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen economy is fueling the need to hire mid-to-senior level talent in emission-intensive industries, such as energy & utilities, transportation, and construction,” said Kiran Raj, Principal Disruptive Tech Analyst at GlobalData in a company news release.

A few examples listed by GlobalData from the hiring study include:

  • Tesla has been on a hiring spree in both transportation and energy. It's Gigafactory powered by solar panels and microgrids for zero-emissions needs to onboard technicians, analysts, engineers, and managers to handle projects on electric vehicles. It also seeks candidates with experience in manufacturing solar roofing and energy-efficient building materials

  • Energy -giant Vestas is scouting for directors in its sales and operations divisions to manage wind energy projects, as well as technicians and engineers globally to design, service, and install wind turbines

  • Volvo is focusing on hydrogen powered-electric vehicles (EVs) evident from its hiring announcements including head of charging and infrastructure and senior hydrogen fuel cell designer

  • AECOM is looking for senior talents like grid modernization market sector leader and associate director of renewable energy. Its focus areas include energy management, solar design, and green building certification

Related:General Motors Adding 3,000 Tech Jobs for EV Development

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“Commissioning solar and wind power generated projects in energy & utilities, designing electric vehicles in transportation, and creating smart grid systems for green buildings continue to remain the hiring sweet spots of big companies to drive decarbonization efforts,” said Sanchari Chatterjee, Senior Disruptive Tech Analyst at GlobalData.

Some of these jobs apply technologies that are new enough that finding workers with experience poses a problem. Training new hires from other industries to meet the challenges and developing strategies to retain talent once they have gained experience need to be among the top priorities for companies to be successful.

Related:Here Are 12 Careers That EVs and Electrification Are Helping to Build

“Seasoned talent in sustainability is imperative to achieve net-zero goals by 2050. It can happen only if companies find talent with the right skills and motivation to drive sustainable outcomes without compromising financial attributes. Radical revaluation is required in the hiring strategies of companies operating in energy-intensive industries,” said Chatterjee.

Kevin Clemens is a Senior Editor with Battery Technology.

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