🌎 Green Skills #10
HolonIQ is tracking reskilling and upskilling efforts as technology, decarbonization, and global dynamics reshape energy, environment, infrastructure, and mobility sectors. Targeted workforce development is key to enhancing skills, driving growth, and supporting sustainable progress.
Amid accelerating global efforts toward sustainable transitions, labor markets remain under pressure from deepening skills shortages. In the US, the Department of Energy plans workforce cuts, with over 40% of roles at risk amid a prolonged hiring freeze. Australia’s infrastructure goals face setbacks as the construction and utilities sectors report 69% and 43% shortages, respectively.
The UK launched an energy skills drive expected to fill over 100,000 jobs by 2030, while India’s new Skills Accelerator Policy, developed with the WEF, prioritizes lifelong learning and agile transitions in sectors like AI and cleantech to future-proof its workforce.
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Green Labor Market Trends
👷 DOE Extends Hiring Freeze, Plans Workforce Cuts. The Energy Department will keep its hiring freeze beyond April as part of a reorganization plan. About 43% of its nearly 16,000 employees are considered non-essential and could face reductions. Over 1,200 accepted “deferred resignation,” and more than 70 DEI staff were on leave. Only about 9,000 roles are protected, mostly in critical offices like cybersecurity and energy security..
⚡ SSE to Cut Jobs and Halt Renewables Projects in Scotland. SSE is set to cut nearly 10% of its workforce and pause multiple renewable energy projects in Scotland. The company cited rising supply chain costs, high interest rates, and falling market prices as key reasons. Unions criticized the decision, calling it a blow to a sector that drives future growth. SSE says it will consult staff and explore redeployment options to avoid layoffs.
👷 Queensland Construction Industry Faces Labor Shortage Amid Boom. Queensland's construction sector is set to grow well over the next few years, but a predicted annual shortfall of 18,200 workers poses a significant challenge. The shortage, particularly in carpentry, could lead to cost overruns and delays as demand surges from significant projects like the Brisbane Olympics and population growth.
Workforce Shortages by Industry in Australia, 2024
👷🏻♂️ With a 69% workforce shortage, the construction sector is under the most strain, posing significant risks to Australia’s infrastructure growth and sustainability objectives.
⛏️ Shortfalls in utilities are straining the energy transition, with a 43% shortage in electricity, gas, water, and waste services, underscoring a critical skills gap for grid upgrades and renewable energy deployment.
🧪 STEM-related sectors lag in readiness, with 37%-38% shortages in technical, scientific, and manufacturing roles, exposing a weak pipeline for cleantech innovation and future green talent demand.
🚚 A 34% shortage in transport and logistics weakens Australia’s ability to scale sustainable mobility and low-emission supply chains, limiting progress on national decarbonization targets.
🎯Actionable Strategies: To address Australia’s acute labor shortages across construction, utilities, STEM, and logistics, expanding vocational education and apprenticeships is critical. These hands-on sectors demand practical, work-integrated skills that traditional university programs often lack. Apprenticeships– particularly in trades like carpentry and energy systems– offer a faster, more targeted route to employment. Modular upskilling programs support cross-sector mobility, enabling transitions from legacy sectors like mining to clean energy. Strengthening partnerships between industry and higher education will help co-design curricula for future green technologies.
Upskilling/Reskilling Intiatives
⚡ The UK launched the Clean Power Army. The UK launched a new energy skills drive to create a “clean power army” and fill over 100,000 jobs by 2030. Backed by major firms like National Grid and SSE, the plan includes training programmes in key regions, support for oil and gas workers, and £55M for a floating wind hub. The goal: boost energy security, cut emissions, and reindustrialise the UK with secure, well-paid jobs.
🧑🏭 Croatia and the World Bank Launch Initiative to Tackle Labor Shortages. With a shrinking workforce and evolving job demands, Croatia is boosting upskilling efforts in the green and digital sectors. The initiative focuses on improving labor market participation, particularly for youth, women, and migrants, through targeted training, apprenticeships, and inclusive employment policies.
🪴 NSDC and WRI India Launch Green Skills Drive for MSMEs. The two bodies will develop industry-focused training to boost green jobs in manufacturing, services, and agriculture. Aimed at closing the green skill gap, the initiative links local skilling with global job opportunities. The partnership will develop industry-aligned curricula and create pathways to global green job markets.
🪨 Rio Tinto opens South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute at Oyu Tolgoi. Rio Tinto and the University of Queensland launched SGUMMI to train local and international mining professionals. The Oyu Tolgoi mine will serve as the hands-on training site, starting with 28 participants in 2025. The institute aims to address mining skills shortages and gain global accreditation by its third year.
Policy Initiatives
🛠️ India Unveils Skills Accelerator Policy with WEF to Build Future-Ready Workforce. In collaboration with the World Economic Forum, India launched the India Skills Accelerator Policy to align education with industry needs and support agile career transitions. Focused on sectors like AI and energy, the policy promotes lifelong learning through public-private partnerships and inclusive upskilling.
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