IEA Report: Clean Energy Jobs and UK Recruitment Trends
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Global energy employment reached 67 million in 2022, with clean energy roles surpassing fossil fuels.
UK recruiters see high demand in solar, wind, EVs, and heat pump projects, but skills shortages and training gaps remain.
Specialist recruitment and workforce development are essential to meet the growing clean energy talent needs.
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Employment Report 2022 highlights strong growth in global energy sector employment, driven by clean energy investments.
Clean energy now accounts for over half of energy jobs globally, with the fastest growth seen in solar PV, wind, EVs and batteries, heat pumps, and critical minerals mining.
Global Employment Trends
Total energy employment reached 67 million in 2022, up 3.5 million from pre-pandemic levels. Fossil fuel jobs have rebounded modestly, but remain below pre-COVID numbers.
Clean energy jobs are rising worldwide, with China leading in absolute numbers and other regions following suit.
Skills Shortages and Workforce Challenges
- High demand exists for skilled workers in solar, wind, EVs, heat pumps, and critical minerals roles.
- Training programmes are lagging behind growth, especially for vocational and STEM-qualified workers.
- Retraining in fossil fuel companies is helping some workers transition to low-emissions roles, but gaps remain.
Implications for UK Recruitment
UK recruiters report strong demand for Project Managers, Project Engineers, Operations Managers, Wind Turbine Technicians, and Control Systems Engineers.
Specialist recruitment partners are crucial for matching high-calibre candidates to growing clean energy projects and overcoming skills shortages.