Following the historic decision made at COP28 in December 2023 to accelerate the global transition away from fossil fuels through 2030, renewable power has been top-of-mind for countries around the world. The US is the second-largest market for renewable energy, and growth in the industry — which began to take off following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022 — is poised to accelerate over the next decade, according to new report by SIA.
Staffing companies are well positioned to benefit from the influx of funding and incentives from the IRA bill and other sources, as — according to SIA’s 2023 Workforce Solutions Buyer Survey — the penetration rate of temporary and contingent work in the energy industry is around double that of the industry overall.
A new report by SIA details the renewable energy and the opportunities available to st
Of the many types of renewable energy, solar power offers the best opportunities as large investments are made in development of domestic solar power manufacturing as well as installations:
Outside of China, the US leads the world in solar panel manufacturing, and it has announced plans to further expand capacity for solar panel modules and their constituent components. In solar PV manufacturing, the expertise of electronic, chemical and electrical engineers is required for handling specialized processes, from the processing of raw materials to technical production.
The US plans to triple its utility-scale solar power capacity by 2030, according to data from the Global Energy Monitor. Further boosts in solar power generation are expected from consumer installations, as homeowners can benefit from the Residential Clean Energy Credit through 2032. Regardless of size, every solar installation project requires an electrical engineer to design and ensure safe grid connections. These positions can be quite difficult to source, as solar companies compete with a number of industries for this talent.
Wind power also offers strong opportunities for staffing firms. Wind turbine service technicians are a new class of highly skilled worker needed to install, operate, and maintain wind farms. Wind turbine components need regular inspection and maintenance (generally one to three times per year). To service this equipment, wind turbine service technicians must travel to often-remote locations and climb each tower to reach the nacelle (which contains the equipment that generates electricity). These workers must be well-trained, highly skilled and willing to travel often.
Wind turbine service technicians are among the most in-demand and hardest to find workers in the renewable energy industry. However, this occupation generally requires hands-on training rather than specialized degrees, offering good opportunities for staffing companies looking for creative solutions to help expand this workforce. For example, both BHI Energy and System One have built their own certified training facilities to train wind turbine technicians and other skilled workers needed in the energy industry.
While there are great opportunities for staffing firms in the renewables industry, staffing firms should be prepared to serve the unique needs of the industry.
Utility-scale renewable energy projects depend heavily on government funding and can take years to complete. While staffing firms may need to demonstrate their ability to meet clients’ needs up front (which can involve investment in additional headcount, certifications or training), they may not see an immediate return on investment, particularly as projects are commonly subject to delays, changes and cancellations, especially if there is a change in the political landscape. To protect their investments and avoid being locked into long-term contracts that cannot be adjusted along with changes in pay rates, inflation or other variable economic factors, staffing firms should structure their renewable energy contracts in a way that allows them the flexibility to adapt to the market while continuing to meet the needs of client at various project stages.
For more information about the renewable energy segment — including opportunities in different geographic and renewable energy markets — see SIA’s newly published Renewable Energy Global Market Assessment report.
