The renewable energy and sustainability industry is growing and evolving rapidly, as consumers and businesses become more aware of their impact on the environment. Challenges in Renewables and Sustainability Hiring are emerging as competition for talent intensifies, particularly when it comes to professionals with skills and experience in renewables, sustainability and ESG.
Despite the high demand, the talent pool in this industry has only grown by 3% in the last 12 months according to data from LinkedIn.
So let’s have a look at what the challenges are and how you can position yourself in the best place to attract top candidates with the skills you need.
1. Lack of Experience
Hiring managers struggle to find candidates with substantial experience in the renewables and sustainability field, as it is a relatively new industry.
2. Skill Shortages
The sector requires specialised skills and knowledge of solutions that haven’t been around very long. As renewable technologies become more advanced, there’s a growing need for employees with a strong technical background, and many employers competing for them.
3. Regulatory changes
Changes in government policies and regulations are increasing, and professionals in renewables and sustainability face the need to keep up to date and re-train in the ever-changing landscape. (See Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator)
4. Competition with Other Industries
The renewable sector competes with other industries for top talent, such as engineering, computer science, and data analysis.
5. Diversity and Inclusion
Like many STEM fields, the sector has faced challenges in promoting diversity and inclusion. Only 27% of the talent pool identifies as female. (See IRENA report on gender and renewables)
6. Education and Training:
The rapid pace of technological advancements in renewable energy can make it difficult for educational institutions to keep curriculum up-to-date.
So how can a specialised renewables and sustainability Recruitment Consultant help you grow your teams with the right people?
As Recruitment Consultants specialising in the renewables and sustainability sector, we speak with skilled professionals in the industry every day. We know the challenges in Renewables and Sustainability Hiring that hiring managers face and understand what candidates are looking for in their next role. Here are some of the advantages we bring:
- Industry knowledge: deep understanding of the job market, industry trends, and specific skill sets required for different roles. We can provide insights into the current hiring landscape and help you identify and attract top talent.
- Time-saving: Managing the hiring process can be time-consuming, from writing job descriptions to sourcing candidates, reviewing resumes, screening candidates and conducting interviews. Engaging a recruitment consultant to manage the recruitment process allows you to focus on your core responsibilities.
- Access to a larger talent pool: we have access to a wide network of candidates, including passive job seekers who might not be actively looking for a new role. We have tools and resources we utilise every day to search and engage top quality candidates with unique skill sets.
- Scalability: If you have a sudden need to hire multiple candidates due to business growth, or regulatory changes, we can quickly ramp up efforts to meet your hiring demands.
We work with organisations to find specialised talent in the time frames you need. We work with organisations to source individuals, establish whole teams, or work with your ongoing hiring needs. We have a large network of skilled and experienced candidates ready for their next opportunity.
Contact our team or connect with us on LinkedIn for a discussion on how we can help you find the people you need to grow your organisation.
