The Twelve Skills of Christmas

While many of us are unwrapping gifts, there is another kind of present worth considering: the gift of high-value skills. The green energy transition is moving at an incredible pace. The most successful professionals I see are those who consistently invest in their own learning and development.

So, in the spirit of the season, I would like to share what I call The Twelve Skills of Christmas. These are essential capabilities for building a bright and sustainable career in 2026 and beyond.

The Twelve Skills to Grow Your Green Career

Here are twelve key areas where a little focus now can make a big difference to your career journey.

1. ESG Reporting Know-How

Understanding how to measure and report on environmental impact is no longer a niche skill; it is core to business strategy. The LinkedIn Global Green Skills Report 2024 shows demand for green talent is outpacing supply. Mastering this skill makes you highly valuable, as companies need experts who can translate sustainability efforts into clear, credible data.

• A practical next step: Familiarise yourself with the ISSB IFRS S1 and S2 standards and practice carbon accounting using the GHG Protocol.

2. AI in Renewables

Artificial intelligence is becoming vital for making our energy systems smarter and more efficient. The IEA’s “Energy and AI” 2025 analysis projects that electricity demand from AI will more than double by 2030. Having skills in both AI and energy allows you to bridge two critical fields, driving innovation in everything from predictive maintenance to grid stability.

• A practical next step: Try prototyping a small model for fault detection using open turbine datasets.

3. Battery Storage Expertise

As we rely more on renewables, energy storage becomes the key to a stable grid. RenewableUK’s 2025 storage update reports over 6.8 GW of operational capacity in Great Britain. Expertise in this area positions you at the heart of grid modernisation, helping to solve the challenge of intermittent energy supply.

• A practical next step: Focus on learning about battery safety, controls, and how revenue is generated in the GB market.

4. Digital Literacy for Smart Grids

Modern grids are complex digital ecosystems. NESO’s Future Energy Scenarios 2025 emphasises that digitalisation is fundamental to achieving net zero. Developing these skills enables you to work with the data and automated systems that keep our energy flowing reliably and efficiently.

• A practical next step: Build your skills in SCADA basics and API data handling.

5. Data Centre Sustainability

The explosive growth of computing is creating a new frontier for energy management. A survey highlights the critical importance of energy efficiency. Professionals who can design and operate sustainable data centres are in high demand, as they help solve one of the biggest new challenges in energy consumption.

• A practical next step: Learn about liquid cooling concepts and model the business case for on-site solar for data centres.

6. Offshore Wind Knowledge

The UK is a world leader in offshore wind, with ambitious expansion plans. The government’s offshore wind roadmap aims for up to 50 GW by 2030. Deep knowledge here, from permitting to logistics, allows you to play a direct role in delivering the large-scale infrastructure projects that are the backbone of our clean energy future.

• A practical next step: Study the logistics of cable landfall permitting and health and safety for marine operations.

7. Hydrogen Fundamentals

Hydrogen is moving from a concept to a commercial reality. The Hydrogen Strategy Update to the Market (Dec 2024) reaffirms the UK’s goal of 10 GW of production by 2030. It will potentially open up over 12,000 jobs. Gaining expertise now means you will be perfectly placed to lead in an emerging sector that is crucial for decarbonising heavy industry and transport.

• A practical next step: Learn about the different types of electrolysers and the safety requirements for storage.

8. Project Management for Net Zero

Great ideas need great execution. The DESNZ 2025 reforms aim to accelerate clean power deployment. Strong project management skills ensure that complex, multi-million-pound renewable energy projects are delivered on time and on budget, turning ambition into reality.

• A practical next step: Consider a PRINCE2 or APM certification and practise creating risk registers for projects.

9. Regulatory and Policy Awareness

In the green sector, rules and regulations shape the field of play. Staying current with policies allows you to navigate the landscape effectively. This knowledge makes you a strategic asset, able to guide projects smoothly from concept to completion.

• A practical next step: Set up a monthly policy watch note for yourself or translate one new regulation into a checklist.

10. Circular Economy Thinking

A truly sustainable future means creating less waste and reusing more. This is the core of the circular economy. Adopting these principles does more than help the environment. As the World Economic Forum highlights, it also builds stronger, more resilient supply chains. Companies become less dependent on scarce raw materials, which makes them more stable during global shocks. This skill allows you to design systems that are both greener and more economically robust.

A practical next step: Run a mini-audit for one product. Map its material journey, find spots for reuse or repair, and calculate the potential savings in cost or emissions.

11. Communication and Collaboration

A brilliant technical idea is only powerful if people can understand and support it. In the green sector, communication is often a barrier. Research from Frontiers in Sociology shows that when complex data is not translated well, important sustainability projects can lose momentum. Mastering this skill helps you bridge the gap between technical experts and other stakeholders. It ensures great projects get the buy-in they need to succeed.

A practical next step: Draft a one-page “impact summary” of a technical project for a non-technical reader, like a board member or a local community group.

12. Purpose-Led Leadership

Lasting change is driven by leaders who embed purpose into their decisions. According to recruitment insights from Enable Green’s 2025 Sustainability Recruitment Market Report, leadership is a top differentiator when hiring for key sustainability roles. Leaders who act with conviction inspire their teams and drive real innovation. This ability to lead with purpose is what turns goals on paper into measurable, real-world impact.

A practical next step: Write your own personal sustainability charter. Define your values and the impact you want to make. Then, bring your team along by setting two or three shared sustainability goals to review together each quarter.

Turning Skills into Action

Take a moment to reflect on your own strengths and choose one or two of these skills to focus on first. Here are a few practical ways to get started:

• Take micro-credentials with organisations like IEMA or through university short courses.

• Find a mentor in your target field and create a 90-day development plan.

• Volunteer for a local energy project to gain valuable hands-on experience.

• Ask for stretch assignments at work that align with one of these twelve skills.

At Hummingbird, we can help you map your capabilities to live opportunities and connect you with roles where you can truly thrive.

Light Up Your Career in the New Year

As you hang up the fairy lights and look ahead to 2026, remember that your career, much like the energy transition itself, shines brightest when it is powered by continuous growth. Here is to a greener, more purposeful new year for you and for our planet.

Ready to light up your career in 2026? Let us talk about the opportunities ahead.