Attracting, Up-skilling and Retaining Talent in the European Renewable Energy Industry

Sophie Rappaz, Marketing Executive

Sourcing, hiring and retaining top talent is critical for the success of renewable energy projects. However, despite the European renewable energy sector’s rapid growth, it is also experiencing significant challenges in talent acquisition and retention. As the industry evolves, companies must understand current challenges and implement effective strategies to remain competitive and sustainable. 

Current Challenges 

The talent shortage in this industry is undeniable. This is particularly pronounced due to the saturation of the market. Companies are fighting for the same pool of qualified professionals, making it more and more difficult to find and attract the right talent. The cyclical nature of the market further complicates this issue, with different phases such as development, construction, and operations & maintenance (O&M) each having unique demands. 

The recruitment process in the industry tends to be rigid, with companies often looking for candidates with very specific qualifications and experiences. This narrow focus can limit the pool of potential candidates and make the search process even more challenging.  

To overcome these challenges, companies need to adopt a more flexible approach and broaden their search criteria to include candidates with transferable skills from related industries. 

High-Demand Positions  

Over the past few years, the development phase or renewable energy projects has seen a significant increase in activity. This phase requires a variety of specialised roles such as project developers, grid connection experts, land prospectors, permitting managers, and planners. These are critical for the initial stages of renewable energy projects and are currently in very high demand.  

In addition to the above, there is also a high demand for other specific roles throughout the renewable energy project lifecycle: 

• Project Managers: These professionals are needed to facilitate the transition from development to construction. 
• Construction Managers, Site Managers, and H&S Managers: These roles are necessary during the construction phase of projects and are particularly high in demand at the moment. They oversee the construction process, manage on-site activities, and ensure health and safety standards are met. 
• Commissioning Managers: Once construction is completed, commissioning managers ensure that projects are fully operational and meet all required standards. 
• O&M Managers and Asset Managers: These professionals are essential for the operation and monitoring of projects over their 25-year lifecycle. They ensure that projects are maintained efficiently and continue to deliver the expected benefits. 

Strategies for Attracting, Up-skilling, and Retaining Talent 

To address the challenges of talent acquisition and retention, companies in the renewable energy sector need to adopt a multifaceted approach: 

• Recycling Experienced Candidates: One effective strategy is to look for professionals from industries with transferable skills, such as oil & gas, real estate, construction, and engineering. These candidates often possess experiences and skills that can be adapted to the renewable energy sector. 
• Competitive Recruitment: Companies can attract talent from competitors by offering roles that provide advancement opportunities and competitive salary packages.  
• Long-Term Career Planning: Providing clear career paths and growth opportunities is important to retain talent. Companies should invest in their employees' development and offer training programs that enable them to advance their careers within the organisation. 
• Flexibility and Growth Opportunities: Promoting flexibility in job roles and providing ample opportunities for professional growth can help to retain talent. This includes offering flexible working arrangements, opportunities for further education and training, and clear pathways for career progression. 
• Graduate Recruitment and Training: Focusing on hiring fresh graduates and developing them into future leaders through comprehensive training programs is another effective strategy. By investing in the development of young professionals, companies can ensure a steady flow of skilled talent. 
• Life Cycle Position Recycling: Moving professionals through various stages of the project lifecycle, from development to construction and O&M, can keep their roles dynamic and challenging. This not only helps to retain employees but also ensures that they develop a broad range of skills and experience. 
• Collaborations and Adaptability: Increasing collaboration between companies and adapting to local legislations can create a more cohesive industry environment.  
• Alignment of Interests: Ensuring better alignment between company interests and employee goals can enhance job satisfaction and retention. This includes offering performance-based incentives, opportunities for personal development, and creating a positive work environment. 
• Specialised Recruitment Companies: Did you know that passive candidates make up approximately 70% of the workforce? Renewable Energy recruitment companies work with a large talent pool to source the most suitable candidates, whether passive or active. They have a deep understanding of both the industry and the intricacies and demands of the role.  

With the European renewable energy industry being in such high-demand, the ability to attract, up-skill, and retain talent will determine its future success. By working with a renewable energy recruitment company, employers can benefit from saving on cost, time and effort, gain access to a large talent pool, and work with experts in recruitment and in the industry. Stay tuned for future blogs that will delve deeper into the above strategies! 

Whether you are interested in hearing more about our services in the European renewable energy market or are actively seeking for the best talent to fill your roles, we offer tailored solutions to meet all your needs. 

As a global renewable energy recruitment company, we are committed to connecting top talent with rewarding career opportunities. We offer professional services and have dedicated expert recruiters for each of our European renewable energy markets, which you can find here: Germany, France, Spain & LATAM and Italy. We look forward to collaborating with you!