India’s formal sector has stepped up hiring in line with the government’s aim on fast-tracking green growth. Demand for profiles in sustainability, energy, waste management, green infrastructure and other environmental and sustainability related fields, rose by 80% to 100% compared to last year, reports the Economic Times, citing HR heads and staffing executives. Despite the rising demand, the talent pool is sparse as most of these profiles are new. Madhu Srivastava, chief human resources officer (CHRO) of India-based mining company Vedanta Limited said, “This is partly because green jobs require specialised skill sets that come from industrial exposure and work experience and there are not enough training and educational opportunities available to develop these skills.”

To address the issue of talent shortage, companies are hiring youngsters and then training them. Rituparna Chakraborty, co-founder, TeamLease said green jobs can be extensively seen in sectors such as energy, urban farming, green transport, waste management and renewable energy. “India currently employs 20% of its workforce in green jobs which is expected to double by 2030,” said Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit. “Construction and engineering sectors mark the fastest growing demand for green jobs, followed by the renewable energy sector. Green jobs are expected to grow twofold in 2023.”

Sanjay Shetty, director, professional search and selection, and strategic accounts, Randstad India added that metropolitan cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have already exhibited a substantial increase in green job postings.