Green Economy Journal Issue 63

Infographic
While concerns exist about a lack of human touch, insufficient training
and cybersecurity risks, each challenge that arises presents an even
bigger opportunity for companies.
“AI will create new challenges around data security and ownership,
and questions remain over who owns the outputs. This is an opportunity
for companies to reduce risks by harnessing AI’s predictive capabilities
to boost cyber security,” says Marx.
The renewables industry is at the
cutting edge of AI.
SALARIES AND GLOBAL MOBILITY
Salaries in the renewables sector have rebounded above pre-pandemic
figures, with 51% of professionals reporting a pay increase – a notable
rise from 47% last year. This upward trajectory in compensation aligns
with the accelerating clean energy transition. Moreover, amid the global
push for decarbonisation, companies are increasingly offering overseas
job transfers, now at 58% compared to 52% in 2022.
Continuing a trend identified last year, the report reveals an intense
competition for talent in renewables. Approximately 32% of workers
have been headhunted six or more times, with many receiving offers
from outside the industry. This is reciprocated by 88% of workers
considering job switches, driven by career progression opportunities
and broader industry interest.
AI and the the Future Future of Skills of in Skills the Energy Industry
SKILLS
in Renewable Energy
Personal impact of AI in
the next two years:
51%
of non-hiring
professionals report
a pay rise this year.
78%
say productivity
will increase.
62%
say job satisfaction
will increase.
62%
say career and progression
opportunities will increase.
Top four skills
that are in demand
1
2
3
4
Programming /
software engineering
IT
Machine learning
Cyber security
79%
are open to
relocating for work,
with Europe the top
choice.
32%
of respondents use
artificial intelligence
in their role.
AI and the future of skills in renewable energy.
Top three uses of AI in
the renewables sector
Top four skills
that may be developed
Machine learning
Data science
IT
Automated workflow
and workplace
collaboration tools.
Data analytics to
optimise energy
production.
Customer
engagement.
Critical thinking /
problem solving
GETI, the world’s largest energy recruitment and employment trends report, this year surveyed 11,800 energy professionals and hiring managers in 149 countries.
1
2
3
4
GETI
Renewables professionals
AHEAD OF THE CURVE
on
AI ADOPTION
The recently released eighth annual Global Energy Talent Index, the world’s most established
and comprehensive energy workforce trends report, highlights that the renewable energy
industry is ahead of the curve on AI adoption, highly optimistic for the future and conscious
of developing AI-related skills.
POWER SECTOR
Despite apparent satisfaction with salaries and steady appetite for regional relocation, professionals
are not completely rooted in place: 91% are open to moving roles, the highest of the survey’s
sectors. Furthermore, while most prefer to stay within the power sector (58%), 44% are open
to going elsewhere within the energy industry, and 23% would consider roles in a new sector
altogether. As was the case last year, renewable energy is the sector of choice (cited by 54%),
followed by oil and gas (36%). Beyond energy, 35% would move to the technology sector.
Manufacturing is becoming steadily more attractive, having been selected by 11% in 2022,
16% in 2023 and now 19% in 2024.
The reasons for moving roles mimic those for moving regions: career progression is the
primary motivator (chosen by 27%), though by much less than last year (38%). Interest in the
wider industry is second (15%), and the chance to work with innovative technology takes third
place (12%), eclipsing ESG concerns which plummeted to seventh place this year.
Commenting on the findings, Wenche Kjølås, independent director at several companies, says: “A
picture of fragile stability. Salary growth is good but not spectacular, and though career progression
remains a top concern, professionals seem less convinced they need to make a move than last year
to continue their career trajectory. Yet, openness to moving roles and regions is high, indicating a
sector where professionals are settled but wouldn’t take much prompting to reconsider. As a wellestablished
industry, power professionals are self-assured and have much to offer other sectors.”
Hiring managers should take note: 81% of employees have been approached for another role in
the last year, while over a third (34%) have been approached six times or more. A significant minority
(19%) have received 11 or more approaches, with over one-third of respondents saying more than
half of these approaches came from beyond the power sector.
According to the report, produced by Airswift, 32% of
renewables professionals already use AI – somewhat ahead
of the industry average of 27%. A further 13% are expecting
to adopt AI within six months. Most (87%) renewable energy
professionals express optimism about the future impact of AI,
with many anticipating an uplift in their personal productivity
(78%), improved career progression opportunities (62%) and
increased salaries (49%).
Nearly all respondents to the Global Energy Talent Index (GETI) 2024
report say AI will increase demand for skills, with two-thirds (66%) of
renewables professionals expecting AI to increase pressure on them
personally to acquire new skills. They see the highest demand in technical
areas like IT, programming, software engineering, machine learning
and cybersecurity. When exploring the relationship between potential
skills development opportunities and perceived future demand, initial
findings highlight robotics and cyber security as areas the industry may
need to proactively develop to shore up skills.
The report also found there is a need for soft skills like critical
thinking, problem-solving and creative thinking, which are expected
to increase, highlighting the unique human capabilities that
complement AI technologies.
Janette Marx, CEO of Airswift, says, “By its nature, the renewables
industry is at the cutting edge of AI with many companies exploring
use cases and improving performance that will inspire others to take
the leap. In this fast-paced sector, professionals are unafraid to vote
with their feet to unlock AI-related career progression, job satisfaction
and work-life balance; renewables companies will need to stay on the
front foot with AI to retain talent. In parallel, those professionals who
spend time learning new skills stand to improve their career prospects
by differentiating themselves from other candidates.”
READ REPORT
THOUGHT [ECO]NOMY
The Global Energy
Talent Index Report
2024
greeneconomy/report recycle
THE GLOBAL ENERGY TALENT INDEX 2024 | GETI | Airswift | energyjobline | [2023]
The Global Energy Talent Index (GETI) was launched in 2017 to chart emerging trends across the
global energy workforce. GETI has since drawn on insights from thousands of professionals to create
a comprehensive map of a changing energy landscape.
This year’s report explores how the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping everything from job roles
to skills in demand and whether workplace policies and training priorities are keeping up. GETI tracks the
extent of AI adoption, popularity and policy awareness across the industry and anticipates the major risks
and opportunities it presents. This report surveys an industry on the cusp of a technological revolution.
Building on the success of the seven previous volumes, GETI 2024 draws on the views of almost 12 000
energy professionals in 149 different countries. The 55-question survey was open for nine weeks and closed
at the end of October 2023. It aims to provide insights that will help hiring managers and professionals alike
to better understand how AI is changing jobs, and what skills will be most prized in the future.
48 49