The Global Race for Green Talent: Can We Keep Up?

I speak with renewable energy professionals and company leaders every day, and one theme keeps coming up, there simply aren’t enough skilled people to meet the demand in this sector.

It’s always an exciting time to be in renewables. Despite some recent resistance, the world is pushing forward with bold climate targets, governments are still pouring billions into clean energy, and companies are scaling up faster than ever. But while the industry is booming, there’s a big problem: where are all the people needed to build and maintain this greener future?

In this article, I’ll explore what’s happening in the renewable energy jobs market, which regions are leading the way, and what skills are most in demand. But more importantly, I’ll share my thoughts on how we can tackle this growing skills gap, because right now, it’s one of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of real progress.

A Perfect Storm: Why Demand for Green Talent is Soaring

The global renewable energy workforce has almost doubled in the past decade, reaching 16.2 million jobs in 23/24. That’s a huge shift, driven by massive investments in solar, wind, and battery storage.

And it’s not slowing down. The world needs to triple its renewable energy capacity by 2030 to stay on track for net-zero targets. That means even more skilled professionals will be needed—from engineers and project managers to electricians and data analysts.

But here’s the catch: we’re not training enough people to keep up with this growth. The talent pipeline isn’t moving fast enough, and the result is a critical skills shortage that could hold the entire sector back.

Who’s Leading the Renewable Energy Hiring Boom?

Every region is experiencing this challenge in different ways.

China & Asia: Scaling Up at Record Speed

China is the undisputed leader in renewable energy jobs, employing over 60% of the world’s solar workforce. India is also making big moves, with government policies driving rapid expansion in wind and solar power.

But the problem? Demand for skilled talent is outpacing supply. These countries need more grid specialists, project managers, and engineers to support their ambitious clean energy targets.

UK | Europe: Offshore Wind is Flying, But Are There Enough Workers?

Europe has been at the forefront of offshore wind development, with Denmark and Germany leading the way. The UK, in particular, has set ambitious goals to increase wind power—but it needs to triple its wind workforce by 2030 to make that happen.

There’s a big opportunity here for professionals transitioning from oil and gas, but retraining programmes need to be scaled up fast.

North America: A Clean Energy Boom Without Enough People

In the U.S., the renewable sector has been growing twice as fast as the overall job market. The Inflation Reduction Act is pouring $500 billion into clean energy projects, creating thousands of new jobs in solar, wind, and EV manufacturing.

The challenge? Labour shortages. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled electricians, solar installers, and grid engineers. Without urgent investment in workforce training, this boom could stall.

Australia: Big Ambitions, Big Skills Gap

Australia wants 82% of its electricity to come from renewables by 2030, but there’s a severe shortage of electricians and energy system specialists to deliver it.

The country is now looking at upskilling and immigration to bridge the gap, but time is running out.

What Skills Are In Highest Demand?

If you’re looking to break into renewables—or future-proof your career—these are the skills that will be in highest demand over the next decade:

Technical & Engineering Expertise – Solar PV specialists, wind turbine technicians, and grid engineers are needed everywhere.

Project Management – As projects scale, we need more people who can plan, execute, and deliver complex infrastructure projects.

AI & Data Analytics – With smart grids and digital energy systems becoming the norm, professionals who can optimise energy flows using AI and big data will be highly sought after.

Regulatory & Policy Knowledge – The sector is evolving fast, and companies need experts who can navigate regulations and unlock funding.

Soft Skills – Communication, collaboration, and leadership are just as important as technical skills in this industry. Teams need to work across disciplines, and those who can bring people together will be invaluable.

The Green Workforce Crisis: How Do We Fix It?

This isn’t just a recruitment challenge—it’s an industry-wide issue that requires urgent action. If we don’t train, upskill, and attract more people into renewables, we risk falling short of our climate targets.

Here’s what needs to happen:

More Training & Apprenticeships – We need better routes into renewable energy careers, especially for young people and those transitioning from fossil fuels. Governments and companies should be investing in free or subsidised training programmes.

Reskilling Oil & Gas Workers – The expertise already exists in industries like oil and gas, but the transition isn’t happening fast enough. We need stronger industry partnerships to make it easier for these workers to pivot into renewables.

Diversity & Inclusion Must Improve – Right now, only 32% of renewable energy jobs are held by women. That’s not enough. We need to break down barriers and ensure the green workforce is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming to all.

International Mobility – Green talent needs to move where it’s needed most, but immigration policies and work visas often slow things down. Governments must streamline these processes if we’re serious about solving the skills crisis.

The Future of Renewable Energy is Bright—But We Must Act Now

I firmly believe that the renewable energy sector is one of the most exciting places to work right now. The potential for impact, innovation, and career growth is enormous.

But unless we take serious action to tackle the skills gap, we’re going to struggle to deliver on the world’s sustainability goals. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a thriving, purpose-driven workforce that can power a greener future.

At Hummingbird Recruitment, we’re committed to finding solutions—whether that’s helping businesses attract the right talent or supporting professionals in making the leap into renewables. We specialise in building outstanding teams of professionals, if you’re looking to build your team or make your next career, let’s talk.