As major companies around the world set ambitious net zero emission targets by 2050 or earlier, “… momentum builds to embrace novel technologies, smart policies, robust investments, and new business models,” according to GlobalData’s latest FutureTech Series report titled Net Zero by 2050: Industrial Decarbonization Gains Momentum to Fight Climate Change, released in late Dec 2021. What comes next? Hiring top talent to deliver results, especially in emission-intensive industries.
Highlighting the trends in the employment market, Kiran Raj, Principal Disruptive Tech Analyst at GlobalData, said, “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.”
According to Sanchari Chatterjee, Senior Disruptive Tech Analyst at GlobalData, “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.”
Companies featured in the report include many household global players:
- Tesla in transportation and energy, manufacturing solar roofing and energy-efficient building materials;
- Vestas, the Danish wind turbine manufacturer, is scouting for technicians and engineers to design, service, and install wind turbines;
- Volvo is focusing on hydrogen powered vehicles; and
- AECOM is looking for grid modernization, renewable energy, energy management, solar design, and green building certification.
Chatterjee concludes, “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.”
The bottlenecks and shortages in the supply chain (preceding article) extend to shortages in the labor market, especially for top talent needed to implement and meet zero net emission targets without breaking the bank or the companies that hire them.
“This article originally appeared in the Feb 2022 issue of EEnergy Informer, reprinted with permission.”