New research by Engineers Australia, in collaboration with Mott MacDonald, has revealed strategies and key insights paving the way for achieving a net zero workforce in the energy sector by smoothly transitioning workers from thermal industries to renewables.
CEO Romilly Madew AO of Engineers Australia expressed optimism about the findings, noting that skilled engineers are already making significant strides in adapting their expertise from traditional sectors like coal, oil, and gas to roles in renewable energy.
“The transition is underway, with professionals leveraging their experience to contribute to net zero industries,” Madew remarked.
The research underscores that employers prioritise mindset and capabilities over specific disciplinary experience when hiring for clean energy roles.
This suggests that engineers transitioning from thermal to renewable energy sectors can capitalise on their existing skills while enhancing capabilities in stakeholder management and community engagement.
Geographically, building the clean energy industry in communities with established thermal energy workforces can mitigate displacement and foster job retention.
The study noted that opportunities in remote work and automation offer flexibility in job locations, further supporting workforce stability.
Addressing workforce shortages, particularly in roles requiring extensive experience like grid engineers, remains a challenge.
The study advocates for re-engaging qualified engineers currently not in the workforce, including women, older Australians, and migrant engineers, by promoting the environmental benefits and competitive salaries of the clean energy sector.
The research also emphasises the importance of integrating sustainability into engineering education at all levels. By embedding these principles into existing university and vocational courses and offering micro-credentials, engineers can be better prepared for transitions between sectors and gain confidence in navigating industry-specific standards.
Policy recommendations from the study call for governments to redefine occupational profiles and update classification systems to reflect emerging roles in renewable energy.
Such initiatives are crucial in driving innovation, aligning efforts across governmental levels, and facilitating systemic changes that support workforce expansion and skill transferability.
Madew urged political and industry leaders to seize the opportunity to develop policies that facilitate skill transfers and investments in clean energy.
“Let’s further improve recruitment, retention and re-engagement. Investing in people and showing them the opportunities to deploy their existing skills is key to keeping existing communities thriving,” she emphasised.
“Better training pathways and micro-credentialing will also go a long way towards supporting these career transitions,” Madew concluded.
