Green Skills Revolution
Ireland aims to achieve its net zero target by 2050—can the talent market keep pace?
A recent report by LinkedIn has revealed that the global demand for green skills and green talent has surged, averaging a 5.9% annual increase from 2021 to 2024. In the UK, the need for green talent has soared by an average of 20% annually, with a staggering 46% rise in the past year alone. Furthermore, as of July 2024, 13% of jobs in the UK called for green skills with companies struggling to secure green talent. Similarly, Ireland has seen an impressive demand, with 12.4% of jobs requiring green skills by mid-2024.
Despite this growth, there remains a significant gap between the demand and supply of green talent. Globally, supply only increased by 3.2% annually from 2021 to 2024, and by 5.6% from 2023 to 2024. This disparity is especially pronounced in the UK and Ireland, where demand far outpaces supply.
The widening gap between the demand and supply of green talent is anticipated to hit 18.7% by 2030 and 101.5% by 2050 if current trends persist. To bridge this divide, we need to at least double the current forecasted supply of green talent by 2050, which calls for significant global investment in green skills and education.
This investment is not only vital for meeting climate targets but also for unlocking new economic opportunities and ensuring a just transition for workers in traditional industries. Collaborative efforts between governments, educational institutions, and private sectors will be essential to foster innovation, create new training pathways, and provide incentives for businesses to upskill their workforce in sustainability practices.
As we invest in the global green transition, it is essential for governments, businesses, educational institutions, and other organisations to create more pathways into the green economy to tackle talent shortages. Ireland stands out as a leading example of a country that has taken proactive and collaborative measures to nurture green talent and address these shortages effectively.
Green Skills in Education and Training:
By embedding sustainability into education and workforce development, Ireland is aiming to develop a pipeline of green talent across diverse sectors. Initiatives like the "Green Skills 2030" strategy emphasises raising awareness, integrating sustainability into curricula, and providing industry-specific upskilling in areas like renewable energy, construction, and environmental science. National initiatives like Springboard+ and Skillnet Ireland provide opportunities for workers to transition into green careers and apprenticeships are being expanded to include green technologies, encouraging hands-on learning for practical applications in sustainability​.
Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan:
Ireland's Offshore Wind Action Plan is a cornerstone of the country's green transition, aiming to develop a robust offshore wind energy sector while creating significant opportunities for green talent and economic growth. This initiative targets Ireland's offshore wind energy goals with a focus on apprenticeships, such as wind turbine maintenance, and reskilling programs supported by the Human Capital Initiative and Springboard+ programs. For example, there is a particular focus on leveraging transferable skills from sectors like marine engineering. Details about the skills required and government funding are outlined in the Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan.
Green Construction Careers:
The "Build Up Skills Ireland 2030" (BUSI2030) roadmap is a key initiative aimed at addressing skills shortages and aligning Ireland's construction workforce with climate action goals. It highlights the need for large-scale reskilling in construction to achieve climate and housing targets. Mandatory training on zero-emissions buildings (ZEB) and incorporating circular economy principles into construction are key recommendations, alongside the creation of a national campaign to promote careers in green construction, public campaigns to enhance carbon literacy and encourage industry upskilling and efforts to integrate and streamline Ireland's construction skills ecosystem.
Sectoral Recommendations for Green Jobs:
The sectoral recommendations for green jobs in Ireland aim to address skills gaps and ensure that the workforce is prepared for the demands of a green economy. These recommendations are tailored to specific industries and focus on skill development for sustainability, biodiversity, and climate action. Beyond offshore and construction, Ireland is concentrating on integrating green modules into various sectors, including tourism, technology, and forestry. These recommendations are aligned with national and EU sustainability goals, supported by initiatives like the European Green Deal and Ireland’s Green Skills Action Plan. They are designed to bridge the gap between environmental policy and workforce training, ensuring that all sectors can contribute to a low-carbon economy while supporting job growth and sustainability efforts.
Conclusion
These efforts are crucial for fostering a workforce capable of advancing Ireland's climate goals and capitalising on the economic benefits of the green transition. Stay tuned for more insights into how Ireland is leading the way toward a sustainable future, as well as regular market insights, exciting job opportunities and much more. And make sure to follow us on LinkedIn for daily updates.
