As the world transitions to renewable energy to chasing net-zero goals aggressively, it simultaneously alters the workforce dynamics, providing opportunities and challenges. As per the latest figures, the renewable energy sector witnessed a dramatic expansion, creating 13.7 million jobs globally.
Meanwhile, India is also aggressively progressing toward its net-zero-emissions target of generating electricity from non-fossil sources by 2070. Focusing only on wind and solar renewable energy, the country experienced a 47% hike in renewable energy jobs, totalling 164,000 in 2022.
In terms of investment, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said the value of renewable energy investments had risen 43% from $348 billion in 2020 to $499 billion in 2022. This is helping to fuel employment in renewable energy, where job numbers worldwide have grown from 7.3 million in 2012 to 13.7 million in 2022, the report finds.
It is the only sector which justifies gender equality in the true sense. According to another report by IRENA within the renewable energy sector, solar power demonstrates a higher representation of women in full-time positions, accounting for 40%. It is nearly twice the proportion of women employed in wind energy (21% of full-time positions) and the oil and gas sector (22% of full-time positions).
Regarding our region, two-thirds of the global energy workforce is employed by the Asian industry. In terms of regions, China holds the title of the world’s largest employer, currently representing 42% of all jobs in the renewable energy sector. While China’s dominance remains unchallenged, India’s rise in the industry is notable, with an estimated 281,400 solar jobs in 2022.
Workforce opportunities are expanding together with the adoption and advancement of renewable energy. However, it creates a challenge as demand for skilled talent is outpaced by supply, resulting in skills mismatch and talent gap in the renewable energy sector.
Bridging this gap necessitates skill development opportunities that align with industry requirements. We at Jakson Group have employed a different approach to fill the rising talent gap in the renewable energy sector with a vision of witnessing a positive long-term impact.
Our energy offerings with employment talent opportunities include:
- Solar modules & products
- Green Hydrogen and derivatives, including Green Ammonia and Low Carbon Methanol projects
- Hybrids and battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- Solutions for renewable natural gas and waste to energy
Apart from these four initial offerings, our sub-categories and projects, lour Green Ammonia facility at Kandla Port in Gujarat is expected to produce more than 5,000 employment opportunities in India. The advanced facility will be developed in stages, with an anticipated annual production capacity of 1,33,000 tonnes of green ammonia
Here’s How We at Jakson Are Bridging the Renewable Energy Talent Gap
We are actively bridging this requirement through strategic programs centred on cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace with:
- Internship and Leadership Development Programs: Besides our traditional hiring, we actively offer internship programs meant to groom graduates into highly effective employees covering manufacturing and non-manufacturing renewable energy segments.
We provide hands-on experience and teach them the required industrial skills for their road to employment. Moreover, our leadership development program identifies and prepares high-potential employees for future leadership roles.
- Inclusive Hiring with Diversity: Recognizing the value of varied viewpoints, we actively provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities, a supportive work environment, and flexible working hours.
- Women Leadership Opportunities: We actively promote gender diversity in our staff, particularly in traditionally male-dominated professions such as manufacturing and core engineering, through developmental internship programs.
Year by year, we have experienced an increase in the overall ratio of female personnel. Moreover, high-performing female employees have been selectively appointed to the Board and Leadership team, demonstrating our commitment to diversity in renewable energy employment.
- Internal Talent Mobility and Career Development: We encourage our staff to try new roles within our company. It promotes continual learning and skill development across all solar renewable energy segments and helps them identify and capitalize on their unique potential.
- Educating the Youth: Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives extend from helping to educate underprivileged children and a child development program in Lucknow that has so far taken care of 5000+ girls’ education to building sustainable villages in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh and Phaltan, Maharashtra.
Moreover, the YUVA 2.0 project in New Delhi has provided solar PV training to more than 120 youth. We aim to ensure that India is equipped with the skills required for industrial-level employment that directly impacts the renewable energy workforce.
We are proud to contribute significantly to India’s net-zero emissions target by catering and creating thousands of green-collar employment. Moreover, the Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ) has successfully trained 100,000 people in the renewable energy segment, aligning well with our mission for sustainable workforce growth. With such strategies, workshops and a collaborative approach, we can quickly bridge the talent gap in the renewable energy sector.
Also, if you want to know the incentives available for installing solar rooftops in India and want to avail our hassle-free finance schemes to switch to green energy, read our blog on Government Incentives for Solar Rooftops in India.
