🌎 Green Skills #14
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.
Novo Energy, Volvo Cars’ battery venture, will cut 50% of its workforce following the collapse of former partner Northvolt, reflecting deep uncertainty over the Gothenburg factory’s future. This follows earlier layoffs in January, with operations and construction now significantly scaled down. The chart highlights China’s global lead in clean energy, accounting for 48% of all wind energy jobs in 2023, more than double Europe’s share.
In the US, TCCI Manufacturing opened a $45M Clean Energy Innovation Hub in Illinois, integrating EV compressor production, a workforce academy, and R&D to support domestic clean tech growth. Meanwhile, the EU and Saudi Arabia launched the “Bridging Policy and Practice” initiative to strengthen cooperation on energy resilience, renewables, and hydrogen. These shifts underscore the growing demand—and fragility—of green skills across clean tech industries.
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Green Labor Market Trends
🔋 Novo Energy Slashes Workforce Amid Partner Bankruptcy Fallout. Volvo Cars’ battery venture, Novo Energy, will cut 50% of its staff after the collapse of former partner Northvolt disrupted its operations. The job cuts follow layoffs in January, reflecting deep uncertainty over the Gothenburg factory’s future. With no new tech partner and economic headwinds, Novo is scaling down but maintaining limited operations and construction.
🌬️ India Targets 100 GW Wind by 2030 with Tech, Talent Push. Backed by 50 GW already installed, India’s wind sector is ramping up innovation, manufacturing, and workforce development to meet its 2030 goal, says IWTMA. With 18 GW annual production capacity, the industry aims to become a clean energy leader and global export hub.
💼 Harbour Energy to Slash 25% of Aberdeen Jobs Amid Tax Strain. Harbour Energy is cutting around 20% of its Aberdeen workforce, blaming the UK’s windfall tax and stalled carbon capture plans. Reporting a $93M post-tax loss and an effective tax rate of 108%, the firm cites a “punitive” fiscal regime that’s curbing investment. With 600 roles cut since 2023, industry voices warn of deeper impacts without urgent policy change.
Employment in Wind Energy Sector by Region in 2023
🌬️ China led globally, accounting for 48% of all wind energy jobs in 2023 (more than double the share of Europe, the next largest employer), cementing its lead in clean energy manufacturing and deployment.
📜 Europe contributed 20% of global employment, reflecting its strong policy support and mature onshore and offshore wind markets.
🌍 India and North America each held 9% of wind employment, showing parallel momentum in scaling green energy despite differing levels of market maturity.
🌎 Other regions, including Central and South America, Africa, and the rest of the world, held smaller shares, highlighting global disparities in clean energy workforce distribution.
🎯 Actionable Strategies: Bridging global wind employment disparities requires targeted support for emerging markets. Scaling workforce readiness through vocational training, certification programs, and turbine manufacturing incentives can catalyze green job growth in underrepresented regions. India’s push toward 100 GW by 2030 highlights how local capacity building and innovation drive sectoral expansion. Replicating such models, with investment in education, policy alignment, and regional supply chains, will enable other nations to capture economic value from wind energy while contributing to global climate goals
Upskilling/Reskilling Intiatives
👷 TCCI Manufacturing Opens Clean Energy Innovation Hub in Illinois, Launches Workforce Academy. TCCI Manufacturing opened its $45M Clean Energy Innovation Hub in Decatur, IL. The hub combines EV compressor production, a workforce academy, and an R&D center. The facility supports onshoring EV components and training talent in clean energy tech. TCCI also unveiled plans to showcase innovations and speak at the 2025 ACT Expo in Anaheim.
☀️ UVI Launches S.P.A.R.K. to Power Clean Energy and Talent Growth. Backed by FEMA, the University of the Virgin Islands broke ground on a 423-kW solar farm under the S.P.A.R.K. Initiative, which aims to boost resilience and renewable energy education. The project will cut fossil fuel reliance, offer hands-on training, and empower local students with clean tech skills.
🪫 Google Launches AI-Energy Workforce Program in Michigan. Google is funding the training of 100,000 electricians and 30,000 apprentices nationwide, with Michigan playing a key role. Partnering with IBEW and NECA, the initiative blends electrical training with AI skills to modernize the US grid and support tech infrastructure growth.
Policy Initiatives
🌍 EU and Saudi Arabia Launch “Bridging Policy and Practice” to Drive a Resilient Energy Future. At a high-level workshop in Riyadh, KAPSARC and the EU launched this policy initiative to boost cooperation on energy security, renewables, and critical supply chains. With support from leaders like EDF and ACWA Power, the partnership aims to accelerate hydrogen development and unite both regions for a stable, sustainable energy transition.
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