The energy industry is expected to create 14 million new jobs: Here’s how

The world around us can sometimes feel like a bleak place. Forest fires, floods, extreme weather, air pollution – the list is seemingly endless as to how our everyday lives are impacted by climate change. 

Although these massive issues may leave many of us feeling helpless, there are ways in which we can all do our part. 

One of the more obvious ways is to encourage more employees into the green energy sector. 

Chris Mowry, CEO of Type One Energy and Chairman of the global Fusion Industry Association has over 25 years of experience hiring and forming teams in clean energy technology companies, and, in an exclusive interview with UNLEASH, he explains how and why this need to continue on.

Driving interest in the energy transition industry

Clean energy transition and decarbonization efforts are sweeping the globe. By now, most countries have committed to net zero emissions, with the aim to achieve this by 2050. 

But to achieve these ambitious targets, businesses need to employ ambitious individuals. In fact, it’s been estimated that this goal will require 14 million new jobs, while shifting approximately five million workers away from fossil fuel sectors. 

With new roles expected in abundance, HR professionals need to be aware of how to upskill workers, and how their business can keep up with the evolving market.

“The energy sector is a compelling career choice for ambitious, motivated people,” Mowry says.

“Here, we can directly connect our personal contributions to the larger challenges that society faces in the 21st century.

It motivates us to get out of bed every morning and aligns our skills and talents to solve the great challenge of building a more sustainable future.

“For those like me who have spent our professional careers in the global energy industry, the stark reality of what it’s going to take for the world to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is daunting. It is a massive challenge. 

Developing career opportunities and diversifying the industry

The transition toward carbon-free power generation is transforming the energy industry. Not only will this transition help enable the world to achieve its climate change goals, but it is creating a new and dynamic job market in the energy industry – a new market with well-paying and rewarding career opportunities. 

The fusion energy sector’s rapid growth over the past decade has already created a surge in demand for skilled professionals in various fields, including engineering, plasma physics, and advanced materials.

In fact, engineers and scientists will play pivotal roles in developing fusion power plants, while technicians will be essential for maintaining and operating these complex systems.

“Transitioning from a career in tech to the fusion energy industry is a matter of translating relevant experiences and skills,” Mowry says. 

“Complex computational modeling and analysis are at the heart of fusion development, and skills like coding, computational physics, and data analysis are critical skills. These are skills not unique to the fusion sector or green energy, but common to a much wider range of industries.” 

The expansion of the fusion industry is also stimulating job growth in adjacent market sectors, such as robotics for reactor maintenance, data analytics for performance optimization, and specialized manufacturing for fusion power plant components. 

To meet the challenges that come with energy transition, Mowry makes it clear that businesses need to assemble a wide range of talent, which is as diverse as possible. 

Through his roles, Mowry aims to help connect the growing fusion industry to broaden STEM workforce development. Creating the talent pipeline for all of these jobs requires a focus on training programs, academic partnerships, and apprenticeships to equip individuals with the expertise required for the unique challenges posed by fusion energy.

But of course, reaching gender diversity is a challenge across the board for STEM careers, particularly as globally, women only make up only 28% of the workforce.

Gender diversity is, of course, an important element of bringing different perspectives to bear on solving problems,” Mowry explains. “As such, improving diversity in the fusion industry is intrinsically linked to accomplishing our mission. We embrace this need and are actively working to improve the diversity of our workforce.

“We need employees who are mission driven, who value excellence in everything they do, who have a questioning attitude about long held assumptions, and who embrace diversity as essential to our success.

“We look for passion.”