🌎 Green Skills #5
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.
The growing demand for green skills is reshaping the global job market, with job seekers possessing green skills experiencing a 54.6% higher hiring rate. This trend is especially prominent in the US and Ireland, where the hiring rate rises by 80.3% and 79.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, traditional oil giants like Chevron and BP are cutting jobs and reducing renewable energy investments to refocus on fossil fuels.
In contrast, initiatives such as the UK-Indonesia Green Skills Collaboration and Scotland’s $127M investment in green skills were announced this week. Additionally, the chart spotlight highlights how China, Europe, and the US dominate global power grid employment and investment, while Africa is experiencing growth in off-grid solutions. These developments highlight both the challenges and the growing importance of green expertise in driving the transition to a net-zero economy.
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Green Labor Market Trends
🌱 Green Skills Boost Hiring Rates. Job seekers with green skills or titles experience a significantly higher hiring rate, with a 54.6% increase compared to the overall workforce. This trend is especially pronounced in the US, where the hiring rate for individuals with green qualifications rises by 80.3%. In Ireland, the figure is similarly impressive, with a 79.8% higher hiring rate for job seekers with green skills. This growing demand for environmentally conscious expertise underscores the increasing importance of sustainability and green practices in the global job market.
💼 Chevron and BP are cutting jobs to refocus on fossil fuels and reduce renewable energy investments. Chevron plans to reduce its workforce by 15–20% (up to 9,000 jobs) by 2026, while BP cut 4,700 employees. Both companies aim to focus more on fossil fuels, reducing investments in renewables. BP also abandoned its 2030 oil and gas output reduction target, cutting renewable spending by 70%. Other oil majors, including Equinor, are scaling back their renewable goals due to low returns and policy challenges, refocusing on oil and gas for higher returns.
🏭 LyondellBasell to Lay Off 86% of Workforce as Houston Refinery Closes. LyondellBasell, a global chemical company, will lay off approximately 86% of its workforce—over 300 employees—as it shuts down its Houston refinery. The layoffs, set to begin in mid-April, follow the company’s decision to cease oil refining operations permanently. The 700-acre site, one of North America’s largest full-conversion refineries, has been operational since 1918 and employs around 1,200 workers. Originally set to close in 2023, the shutdown was delayed to early 2025 as LyondellBasell shifts toward circular and low-carbon solutions.
Employment in Grids by Region, 2023
⚡ China and advanced economies (including Europe and the United States) represent more than half of the global employment in power grids. They also account for about 80% of global energy grid investment in 2023.
📈 Employment in power grids is growing slowly in Africa and Southeast Asia. However, Africa is seeing increased job creation, especially in producing mini- and off-grid solutions to achieve universal electricity access.
💰 Europe and the United States are expected to continue leading grid investment, with Europe specifically playing a major role in the rise of grid investments and employment.
⚡ Investment in power grids in EMDEs (excluding China) is rising, though the job creation is slower compared to other regions. There is a need for increased investment in robust and digitalized grids, particularly in these markets.
Upskilling/Reskilling Intiatives
🌍 UK-Indonesia Green Skills Launch. The British Embassy Jakarta and OCS Indonesia launched the UK-Indonesia Green Skills Collaboration Report and the VOCIFY Green Apprenticeship Programme. This initiative, focusing on enhancing technical and vocational education, brings global standards to Indonesia’s workforce development. The program aims to improve social mobility and provide quality education, bridging skill gaps and preparing Indonesian workers for future challenges.
⚡ E.ON Launches New Energy Academy to Equip Students with Green Skills. E.ON, a leading European energy company focused on renewables and smart grids, launched the New Energy Academy to prepare students for sustainability careers. The free program offers hands-on learning, industry-led workshops, and competitions to inspire future green leaders. Co-developed with educators, it provides resources aligned with Gatsby Benchmarks to integrate sustainability into classrooms. With 49% of UK teachers lacking confidence in teaching sustainability, the initiative bridges the gap while expanding career pathways beyond STEM into AI, data science, and marketing.
🚁 HBCUs Train Future Aviators Amid Pilot and Air Traffic Controller Shortages. Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) and Hampton University are addressing the shortage of pilots and air traffic controllers by training the next generation of aviators. Students like Mariah Ervin, aspiring to be a commercial pilot, and Brianna McLeod, set to become an air traffic controller, are part of these top HBCU programs. With the FAA’s ongoing recruitment efforts, including hiring from the military, Congress allocated $240M in 2024 to support aviation education and reduce student costs.
Policy Initiatives
🌍 Scotland Launches $127M Framework to Tackle Green Skills Shortage and Accelerate Net Zero Goals. Scotland launched its largest-ever framework, the Retrofit and Decarbonisation (N9), with a $127M investment to support the country’s net-zero transition. The framework focuses on upgrading public sector buildings, including schools, hospitals, and social housing. Lesley Anderson from the Scottish Procurement Alliance emphasized the importance of addressing the green skills shortage, pledging part of the framework’s income to train the next generation of green-skilled workers. With projects ranging from energy policy development to solar energy installation, the N9 aims to create sustainable job opportunities while promoting local economic growth and environmental benefits.
🌱 Nigeria Pushes to Activate Climate Change Fund and Green Skills Policy. Nigeria is working to activate its long-delayed Climate Change Fund, as mandated by the 2021 Climate Change Act. Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe of the NCCCS stressed the fund's role in financing green projects, youth green skills, and energy transition initiatives. Rwanda’s High Commissioner, Christophe Bazivamo, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, while experts like Abdul Oladapo from the UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility highlighted the need for a development-first approach. The initiative aims to create sustainable jobs and advance climate goals through effective policy and funding.
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