The energy transition promises to be a key driver for the future of employment. As we move towards cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy, job opportunities are opening up in sectors related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, green technology and research into new energy solutions.
This is revealed by the latest report Global Status of Renewable Energies, prepared by the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). The study argues that the shift to an economy based on renewable energy will have a large-scale positive impact. On the one hand, it will help reduce polluting emissions from fossil fuels, tackling climate change. But, at the same time, it will be a great opportunity to create jobs.
According to REN21, an estimated 22 million workers in the oil and gas industry match the qualifications needed for jobs in the low-carbon energy sector. In addition, the entity points out that with the change to a renewable economy, more than 12.7 million jobs have been created worldwide.
To give us an idea, in the European Union (EU), where employment in the solar industry grew by 30% in 2022, some 600,000 jobs were created. However, the expectation is even higher. To meet the objectives of the Repower EU Plan, the generation of 3.5 million jobs will be required between 2022 and 2030.
In Spain, women are gaining more and more jobs in this sector. According to the latest study carried out by the Naturgy Foundation, women accessed 58,136 jobs linked to the energy transition in Spain between 2015 and 2021, which represents 38.1% of the total jobs created in this period.
The energy transition not only implies the creation of new jobs, but also the qualification and training of workers in traditional sectors, such as oil or coal, to adapt to new job needs and opportunities. Although many of them already have some of this knowledge, it is never too late to continue training.
The Master in Renewable Energies taught by IMF Smart Education is an excellent opportunity to start training in green energies. This program, completely online and with a duration of nine months, shows the current situation of renewable energies, their uses and benefits, the technical feasibility and environmental impact of the different projects and an approach to the design, assembly and maintenance of the facilities.
For its part, the Master in Renewable Energies and Environmental Sustainability of the European Postgraduate Institute (EIP) is also developed online, but in this case with a duration of fifteen months. With this training, students delve into the fascinating field of renewables to create a more sustainable and healthy world for all.
Another interesting option is the Master’s Degree in Renewable Energies and Energy Sustainability, taught by the School of Business and Management. The duration of this program is one year and in it students learn about the legal, legislative and regulatory framework of the energy sector, as well as research and innovation in the energy sector. The training also enables students to carry out energy audits and certificates. In addition, the master’s degree includes guaranteed internships in companies in the sector.
We also find the Renewable Energy Course of the Technological Institute of MasterD. This training is intended for university graduates with little experience who want to update their knowledge in this field, in a blended learning program of about 200 teaching hours. The course offers a solid training in energy matters, developing thematic axes on solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and wind energy, among many other topics.
