The rapid growth of renewable energy and ambitious global goals to triple renewable power capacity by 2030 are exposing a significant skills gap. Although renewable energy jobs are increasing from 16.2 million in 2023 to 16.6 million in 2024, employers are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit qualified professionals for key roles. This shortage is particularly pronounced in technical trades such as installation and maintenance, as well as in emerging fields like digitalisation and artificial intelligence in energy systems.
These skills gaps could slow the deployment of renewable energy, affecting the pace of the energy transition, economic competitiveness, and opportunities for sustainable development. Addressing the challenge requires urgent investment in workforce development, building resilient supply chains, and creating an enabling environment that promotes targeted skill development in areas such as energy governance, finance, business, law, education, and community engagement. Accelerating skilling for the energy transition is a complex task and cannot be achieved in isolation.
To address this challenge, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has launched the Call to Action on Skilling for the Energy Transition, which seeks to drive international collaboration on education and training for a sustainable energy future. Through this initiative, IRENA is inviting governments, industries, educational institutions, labour organisations, civil society, and other local and international stakeholders to share concrete measures and commitments to accelerate skill development both domestically and globally.
During a dedicated session at IRENA’s 16th Pre-Assembly earlier this month, the agency highlighted the measures and commitments already made through the Call to Action. Contributions have come from national and local institutions, industry associations, training providers, and international organisations. These include the Global Wind Organisation, which develops industry training standards and frameworks; the Global Solar Council, which focuses on workforce development in the solar sector and is developing Global Solar Training Standards; and the European Training Foundation, which works to align vocational qualifications and curricula with industry needs.
The International Labour Organization supports national systems for skill development, while the Renewables Academy provides technical expertise and resources to accelerate training in other countries and institutions. Student Energy focuses on building the capacity of youth through training, mentorship, job placement, and support for youth-led innovation. The International Finance Corporation supports women’s access to jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities in Africa through Mission 300.
The African Energy Commission and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia provide technical expertise and capacity-building support, and GNCORP in Australia promotes inclusive workforce development, including the integration of people with disabilities into the renewable energy sector. Through initiatives like IRENA’s Call to Action, governments, industries, and civil society organisations are working together to ensure that the renewable energy sector has a skilled, inclusive, and resilient workforce, capable of supporting a sustainable energy future.
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