The study of the Chair of Energy Sustainability of the IEB (an institute dependent on the University of Barcelona) places Spain as the second European country with the highest demand for energy professionals. Technological transformation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, green finance and sustainability, and customer orientation are the five specialties most in demand by energy companies within the framework of the current energy transition, according to the University of Barcelona. The study, which identifies the new professional profiles in the sector, maintains that, for the energy transition to be a success in the workplace, "administrations must [1] strengthen ties between educational centers and the labor market, updating the educational offer ; [2] promoting soft skills* in studies; [3] advancing in the challenge of STEM education (science, technology, engineering, mathematics); and [4] committing to quality and innovative Vocational Training, among others measures". The proper training of new professionals in the energy sector -point out from the Chair- will determine the success of energy and climate policies.
Context analysis The energy sector is undergoing a "profound transformation" -explain the authors of the study-, and has to face "generation decentralization processes, incorporation of new energy technologies and digitization". The new technological scenario is promoting new professional profiles, "such as renewable energy project technicians, specialists in electrical networks in wind farms, specialists in photovoltaic systems, design engineers or experts in energy supply contracts". Likewise, the boost to hydrogen and the digitization of networks - the study highlights - is also giving rise to emerging professions "such as the developer of green hydrogen projects, developer of smart electrical grid design or specialist in the integration of storage technologies "; while, in the field of sustainable building and rehabilitation, new professions are also emerging "such as installers of advanced technological solutions or information modeling managers for building; specialists in deep renovation of buildings; or auditors and energy managers ".
María Teresa Costa Campi, director of the study: “the changes [brought about by the energy transition] are going to give rise to new professional profiles, such as managers of the electricity demand produced by the new market agents or new professionals with a strong technological base and with data analysis capacity, who will have to live with workers with average profiles, where specialization through professional training has a long way to go”
In a context of socioeconomic recovery, decarbonization and digitalization of the economy, "the net generation of green jobs -explains Costa- must be the engine that allows reducing inequality and poverty in Spain, a country with high unemployment rates" . In this sense, the director of the study recalled that the measures adopted by the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan are associated with a net increase in employment of between 253,000 and 348,000 jobs per year during the 2021-2030 period.
The geography of employmentThe study has located job offers in 88 countries. However, most of the open job offers are concentrated in France (3,971 vacancies) and the United States (2,574 vacancies). Both countries account for more than 50% of the positions offered. The following positions in the ranking of territories with the greatest human capital needs are occupied by Spain (628 vacancies), Belgium (485 vacancies), the United Kingdom (365 vacancies), Canada (349 vacancies), China (345 vacancies), Poland (334 vacancies ), Mexico (303 vacancies) and Germany (299 vacancies). This set of ten countries would represent more than three quarters of the total job offers examined.
What the experts say The study by the Chair of Energy Sustainability highlights the opinion of experts in the sector, who maintain - he says - that the current regulated studies "do not come with the set of skills necessary to face the revolution that is taking place in the energy sector”, especially with regard to renewable energies and environmental sustainability.
That is why -they point out from the Chair-, it is so "urgent" (1) to update contents, (2) to detect training deficiencies and (3) to look for new tools to keep the sector updated through cooperation agreements with training centers and administrations, in addition to promoting the so-called soft skills* in the degrees.
*(which could be defined as the capabilities, skills or abilities of a worker that serve to make teams better understand each other, working fluidly and thus maximizing their productivity).
"The different agents warn - the study points out - that, given the same qualifications, the key is in soft skills, which are increasingly valued in selection processes". Among the main shortcomings among the candidates, the experts consulted by the authors of the study have highlighted "the lack of digital, linguistic and communication skills".
The study also highlights the low presence of women in the energy sector, as well as the need to reverse this situation, promoting their participation in STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM) from an early age.
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An opportunity, but one that carries risks for some professional profiles The transition to a green and sustainable energy model is an opportunity for the Spanish economy, but any transformation process carries risks. And these risks affect, according to the authors of the study, especially workers with low levels of training and skills; to people who operate with obsolete technologies within the Green Agenda 2050 (for example, in coal or oil thermal power plants); and the workers of the energy industry affected by the relocation of processes and with limitations for geographical mobility.
According to the Chair of Energy Sustainability at the University of Barcelona, the most vulnerable group is that of people with a very low educational level, followed by people with reduced numerical skills or in STEM areas (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). "And within the group of vulnerable people due to their low levels of STEM skills, special attention should be paid - the director of the report points out - to the older active population and to women".
The study also identifies the economic dependence of some localities on their energy facilities, which are being dismantled as a result of the 2050 Green Agenda. For this reason, it highlights that "the energy transition can be an opportunity to close the gap with rural Spain, given the decentralized nature of much of the new energy technologies”.
To try to reduce the impact on the groups most at risk, the ability to expand and renew skills and geographic mobility are two of the action principles that can be implemented, according to the report. "The energy companies themselves usually have their own training plans to smooth the energy transition and are aware of the existence of vulnerable groups," explains Costa.
Necessary cooperation between Administration, educational centers and companies According to the authors of the study, cooperation between administrations, educational centers and companies is the best way to overcome the risks that the energy transition may entail for certain groups. "An example of this type of collaboration -they point out- is the FP program for Employability of the Naturgy Foundation, which works with the General Secretariat for Vocational Training, the Autonomous Communities, the Institute for Just Transition and the State Public Employment Service , in different lines of action".
For their part -continue the authors of the study-, companies must (1) improve the recycling of their professionals; (2) promote collaboration with administrations and other entities related to the labor market and training; (3) reinforce Dual Vocational Training; and (4) encourage greater participation of women in the sector. And ultimately -says Costa-, "workers must become aware of the importance of training throughout their lives".
The report, which was presented today, is part of the Naturgy Foundation's outreach activities on issues related to the energy sector. Its authors -María Teresa Costa Campi (director), Elisenda Jové-Llopis and Álvaro Choi de Mendizábal- have worked with the opinions of experts in the sector and the analysis of 12,000 job offers in countries around the world. This publication can be consulted at the Knowledge Center of the Naturgy Foundation, which was created in 1992 by the energy company (thirty years of experience this year).
*Soft skills valued in the study1. Punctuality.2. Dedication.3. Resilience.4. Effort.5. Creativity.6. Flexibility.7. Autonomy.8. Organization.9. Determination.10. Critical thinking.11. Troubleshooting.12. Learning.13. Leadership.14. Commitment.15. Plan.16. Effective communication.17. Ability to establish priorities and execution.18. Teamwork
Report Jobs that the energy sector will demand. Publishes Naturgy Foundation