The brown energy industry has long been a source of employment for many, giving generations of families work that they have been proud of. However, green energy has become more prevalent in recent years and thus offers a multitude of opportunities for staff to transfer their skills.
The future of brown energy
Brown energy, or energy produced using fossil fuels such as gas, coal, and oil, is becoming less dominant. This is partly due to environmental concerns and resources have become less abundant as the years have gone by. From a political and ethical viewpoint, green energy is viewed by many as the ideal industry for brown energy employees to move into.
What is happening in the industry?,
The brown energy industry has benefited from a great deal of automation. This has made operations more efficient and less costly creating opportunities for staff to become adept at machine maintenance and monitoring. Due to automation in mining, for example, the production of energy has become more environmentally friendly and less expensive. However, this has meant jobs disappearing, according to The Guardian. This marks the beginning of a new era in which staff can make use of their talents in operations, technology and other areas to broaden their horizons.
A green future
While brown energy has become an ethical concern and an unpopular choice for politicians to support, the green energy industry has been growing more robust. In 2022 there was a huge surge in the use of renewable energy, with a record 40% of electricity in the UK coming from wind, solar, and other green sources. Ford Garrard, CEO of energy staffing firm Visuna, says: “At Visuna, we are on a journey with you in the energy transition. We are here to offer support in moving into sustainable markets at such an exciting time for the energy and IT sectors.”
What are the new energy sectors?
Arguably the most popular choice for the growing green energy industry is green hydrogen. This is generated from wind and solar power sources, and these are in constant development to become more efficient and effective. Because wind and solar power are carbon-free, they are considered the superior choice in terms of protecting the environment.
Bioenergy has also seen considerable growth in recent years. This involves fuel being produced from various different types of biological materials. These materials can include wood, crops such as sugar cane, and even waste. Though there are innovative approaches in bioenergy, questions remain as to how environmentally friendly it can be.
Change = opportunity
Rather than fearing changes in how energy is produced, and becoming concerned about the impact of these changes, it’s important to see the opportunities. Ford Garrard adds: “Transformation is happening rapidly, and at Visuna we pride ourselves on our dedication to supporting companies in their energy innovation goals.”
People who have worked in brown energy have developed many skills which are transferable to other industries including renewables. Some of these skills include the following.
Operations analysis
Being able to assess operations and make improvements is a skill that can be used in many industries.
Science and technology
Those who have worked in scientific or technology-based areas of brown energy have a wide range of opportunities when it comes to using their knowledge in other areas.
Information technology
The information technology industry has exploded in the past 20 years, and anyone with expert IT knowledge and skills can easily transition to green energy or indeed a variety of other sectors.
There is also a wide range of soft skills that can be used in other roles. Being able to think in a creative manner and solve problems through quick thinking and team collaboration are attributes most organisations value. Good communication skills, along with listening to and empathising with others are important capabilities for employees to have.
Upskilling for a brighter future
Upskilling is increasingly important in many industries. Gone are the days when people trained for a specific role in their youth and continued performing the same tasks until retirement. If you’ve worked in the brown energy industry, you may feel a little unsure about starting again or moving into an area such as green energy. However, there are now more opportunities than ever to update your skill set and increase employability.
Where should you start? If you want to make the transition to green energy, there are key areas to focus on when it comes to gaining new skills. Technical expertise is in high demand, and this includes areas such as sales, engineering, and marketing. Areas such as customer support, research, and project management are also yielding opportunities.
How do you get these skills? The first step is to identify the attributes, areas of expertise, and qualifications you already have. Then, it’s a process of building on these. In some cases, there are government-funded courses that allow you to learn new skills and acquire knowledge that improves prospects. If this is not possible, then applying to further or higher educational institutions may be an option.
If you are moving into the green energy industry, you can relate what you have already learned in brown energy and the experience you have to a potential new role. Show organisations that you have transferable skills, and that you can learn as you progress. A willingness to adapt to new ways of working and different kinds of methodology greatly increases the chances of success.
What has to change?
There is a general consensus that the Government has a significant role to play in reskilling and upskilling workers in the brown energy industry to avoid mass unemployment. Funding for support such as childcare and training that helps workers to transfer into other roles is vital.
There is an argument for non-traditional types of certification that is industry-specific and which equips people with qualifications that allow them to move into green industries. Investment in green fuel should be combined with investment in workers leaving the brown energy industry, allowing them to become an important part of innovation and the development of new ways of working.
The green migration, in which brown energy employees have access to increasing new jobs, is coming. The production of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas still provides opportunities but for those who wish to move on, there’s lots of choice. Skills that have been gained in brown energy are highly valued and sought after, so the future is bright.
Green energy may be more prevalent than oil, coal, and gas in the future. This is due to the fact that supplies of the latter are becoming increasingly depleted and cannot be replaced. In addition, there is increasing concern about the quality of our environment and the future of the Earth.
Politicians, industry leaders, and even ordinary people now find themselves grappling with their conscience regarding the state of the environment for themselves and future generations. Moving from the brown energy industry to green sectors gives workers the chance to use their skills in an industry that is forward-facing and has a bright future.
The post The green migration: Reskilling the brown energy workforce appeared first on HR News.