Careers in clean energy are becoming more and more prominent in the job market as industries begin to confront climate change. As the demand for renewable energy continues to increase, so does the demand for careers in clean energy. These jobs require various types of employees, including graduates with scientific and technical knowledge, but also administrative staff, such as accountants and receptionists.
This article will provide information on the different clean energy industries so students in their final year of university or graduates can determine whether they have the necessary skills, education, and experience to excel in a career in clean energy.
What are clean energy industries?
Some industries are exclusively embracing environmentally conscious products and technologies. This includes solar and wind power, agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, and electric vehicles.
Even manual labourers, such as electricians, plumbers and builders, can employ eco-friendly energy and water systems and designs. This can allow them to promote the conservation of water, the reduction of waste, and the implementation of technologies that promote sustainability.
Careers in clean energy are most suited for STEM graduates. According to the 2022 Global Energy Perspective Report by McKinsey & Company, 80-90% of the world’s energy will be sourced from renewable energy. There will therefore be an increase in demand for STEM graduates that have the skills to work in these industries. According to the Clean Energy Council, there will be an additional 19,000 jobs in renewable energy in 2035.
Careers in Solar
Solar Farms
The number of solar farms in Australia are increasing yearly. Solar projects require experienced workers, such as engineers, lawyers, and managers, in the initial stages of site selection, planning, and financing. Then, hundreds of workers, including machine operators, technicians, and labourers, are needed to build the infrastructure of the solar farm over a period of 12 months. Electrical technicians are particularly in demand on solar farms.
According to the Clean Energy Council, here is a list of careers that are required on solar farms.
Labourers:
- Construction and other labourers
- Riggers and dogmen
- Assembly labourers
Machine Operators and Drivers:
- Earthmoving equipment operators
- Drivers
- Crane and hoist operators
Trades and Technicians:
- Site administrators
- Office managers and administrative staff
- Metal trades (and non-trade welders)
- Painters
- Mechanical trades and technicians
- Construction trades
- Site managers and supervisors
- Electricians
Professionals:
- Transport, logistics and procurement
- Finance and business professionals
- Environment, health safety, and quality
- Civil, mechanical and SCADA engineers
- Electrical engineers
Managers:
- Operations and asset managers
- Finance, business and development managers
- Construction and project managers
- Executives and senior managers
Rooftop solar systems
Rooftop solar installation has become increasingly popular in Australia, particularly because of the solar rebates offered by some states and territories. Employees with installation and maintenance skills are thus needed at a greater demand than previously. Solar and battery systems are designed by engineers and electricians. Installation is done by an electrician. There are also roles in marketing, sales, and business management open for companies that manufacture and install solar systems.
Careers in the wind sector
There are many important careers in the planning and designing of a wind farm. This includes:
- Engineers
- Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- Stakeholder engagement officers
- Lawyers
- Financial managers
- Specialised consultants
The process of building a wind farm typically takes 1.5 years and requires hundreds of civil, mechanical and electrical trades workers, labourers and machine operators.
Employees with both degreed and vocational training are required for the operation and maintenance of the wind farm, including engineers, wind farm technicians, blade technicians, HV operators, cable joiners, site supervisors and managers, and control room operators. Employers are typically required to complete the Global Wind Organisation course and Industrial Rope Access Trade Association training to meet the industry safety standards. More information on these qualifications can be found here.
Careers in Battery Storage
Batteries are being used in the Australian electricity grid, meaning that battery systems are needed in homes, businesses, industrial settings, and regional or remote areas. The growing popularity of electrical vehicles is also increasing the demand for employees in this field. Engineers, and employees in clean energy power generation and storage, In the design and planning stage, engineers, legal professionals, finance experts, commercial managers, and stakeholder liaison officers are needed. Electricians, high-voltage operators, installation operations specialists, and field service technicians are needed for construction, operation and maintenance of battery storages. Graduates that have studied for careers in the energy supply industry, heavy industry, construction and IT have the relevant skills to work in battery storage.
Careers in Hydro Power
Hydro power is a developing industry in Australia, especially in regional areas. Here is a list of occupations that are currently needed for both new projects and for upgrades on existing plants.
- Labourers
- Drillers
- Drivers
- Engineers
- Trade and technicians
- Surveyors
- Spatial analysts
- Geomatics
- Environmental scientists
- Field staff
- Construction managers
There are also roles in law, finance, logistics, people management, and training and safety available for the management of operations.
How much demand is there?
There are varying levels of demand for different occupations in clean energy. The following information about demand has been derived from the Clean Energy Council and is categorised by the industry.
Demand is not being met consistently and there are skill shortages in most regions for the following roles:
- Battery Deployment Manager (Battery Storage)
- Battery Design Specialist - Utility Scale (Battery Storage)
- Battery Installation Operations Specialist (Battery Storage)
- Blade Technician (Wind)
- Blade Engineer (Wind)
- Control Room Operator (All)
- Development Manager (Wind; Solar)
- Electrical Engineer (Wind; Solar; Hydro)
- Electrical Power Systems Technician (Hydro)
- Electrical Superintendent (Wind; Solar)
- Engineering, Procurement, Construction Manager (Battery Storage)
- Grid Connection Engineer / Manager (Wind; Solar; Battery Storage)
- HV Engineer (All)
- Hydropower - Electrical Technician (Hydro)
- Hydropower Engineer (Hydro)
- Maintenance Technician - Electrical (Hydro)
- Material and Procurement Specialist (All)
- Operation and Maintenance Manager (Wind; Solar; Battery Storage)
- Power Systems Engineer (Wind; Solar; Hydro)
- Quality / Manager Engineer (Wind; Solar)
- Solar Farm Technician - Electrical (Solar)
- Solar Farm Technician - Mechanical (Solar)
- Structural Engineer (Wind; Solar; Hydro)
- Talent Acquisition Specialist (All)
- Wholesale and trading operations and analysis (Hydro)
- Wind Technician - Electrical (Wind)
- Wind Technician - Electrical (Wind)
Demand is being mostly met however there are skill shortages in some regions for the following roles:
- Asset Manager (All)
- Battery Design Specialist Residential (Battery Storage)
- Civil / Civil Design Engineer (Wind; Solar)
- Commercial Sales Operation and Analysis (Hydro)
- Community Liaison Manager (Wind; Solar)
- Construction Manager (Hydro)
- Contracts Manager (Wind; Solar)
- Electrician - solar rooftop accredited (Solar)
- Field Service Technician - Electrical (Battery Storage)
- Field Support Engineer (Battery Storage)
- Geomatics Engineer (Hydro)
- Geotechnical Engineer / Geologist (Hydro)
- High Voltage Operator - Power Generation (All)
- Hydrographer (Hydro)
- Hydrologist (Hydro)
- Hydropower Engineer (Hydro)
- Leading Hand (Wind)
- Mechanical / Mechatronics Engineer (Wind; Solar; Hydro)
- Portfolio Manager (Wind; Solar)
- Project Manager / Coordinator / Engineer (All)
- Reliability Engineer (All)
- Renewable Energy Engineer (All)
- Sales Manager (Wind; Solar)
- SCADA Engineer (All)
- Site Administrator / Manager (All)
- Site Installation Supervisor (Wind)
- Surveyor (Hydro)
- Technical Support Engineer (Battery Storage)
- Technical Support Specialist - Electrical (Battery Storage)
What Qualifications Do I Need as a Graduate?
The clean energy workforce comprises graduates with both university education and vocational training.
University Education
Primarily, degrees in STEM are desired for graduates interested in working in clean energy industries. This particularly includes graduates that have studied engineering. However, other expertise is also desired in various roles, including law, finance and management.
This table, sourced from the Clean Energy Council, shows different occupations available in clean energy with their corresponding university degrees.
| Occupation | Degree |
| Asset Manager | Engineering, Business, Project Management |
| Bid and proposals manager | Engineering, Business, Construction Management, Project Management |
| Business development manager | Engineering, Commerce, Economics, Marketing |
| Civil design engineer | Engineering |
| Civil engineering | Engineering |
| Commercial operations | Engineering, Business, Project Management |
| Community liaison manager | Business, Marketing, Psychology, Communications, Public Relations, Stakeholder Engagement |
| Contract manager | Engineering, Law, Business, Accounting, Project Management |
| Development manager | Engineering, Finance, Environmental studies, Project Management |
| Electrical engineer | Engineering |
| Electrical superintendent | Engineering |
| Environmental planner | Environmental studies |
| Project manager | Engineering, Project Management |
| PV design engineer | Engineering |
| Quality manager | Engineering, Safety studies |
| Reliability engineer | Engineering |
| Sales manager | Engineering, Maths, Finance, Commerce, Economics, Business, Marketing, Accounting |
| Site administrator | Commerce, Economics, Business, Accounting |
| Surveyor | Surveying |
| Systems modeller | Engineering, Maths |
| Talent acquisition | Business, Human Resources Management |
Vocational Training
Vocational training and education can provide individuals with the necessary skills to successfully complete the duties and responsibilities of certain careers in clean energy. For occupations in the electrical, mechanical and civil fields, vocational training and the practical experience it provides is particularly valuable. More information about qualifications and licensing can be found here.
Find potential careers in clean energy that are right for you here on GradConnection or over at SEEK.