There has been a huge surge in demand for green skill workers in 2024 globally, with demand for green talent growing twice as fast as supply between 2023 and 2024.
New data from the IDA shows the extent of the gap between supply and demand, with demand for workers with green skills increasing by 11.6% and supply by 5.6%.
The data also revealed that there was a 22.1% spike in job postings requiring green skills in Ireland over the past year.
By 2030, 80% of Ireland’s electricity will come from renewable sources, outlined in the country’s Climate Action Plan, and to facilitate the transition, many companies are creating new green jobs.
The sectors with the most demand for green talent were technology, information and media, financial services, retail and solar panel installation for homes.
The data, collected by IDA Ireland, in collaboration with Microsoft and LinkedIn, demonstrates an immediate need for workers to be upskilled to meet demand, due to the demand for green talent outpacing supply.
It is estimated that by 2050, demand for green skills will exceed actual expertise by 100%.
The gap has been growing for some time, and the analysis highlights that in Ireland the demand for green skills increased at double the rate of the rest of the world over the past three years.
The study also revealed that Irish job seekers with green skills or titles are hired at a rate almost 80% higher than the general workforce.
Green jobs are currently concentrated in the utilities, construction and manufacturing industries, but these green skills are becoming increasingly attractive to other sectors.
The picture in Northern Ireland is even more pronounced, with the number of green jobs advertised increasing 25.6% year on year.
The sectors with the largest increase in the number of green job adverts in Northern Ireland were in mining and quarrying electricity, and construction.
Energy expert Briain Kelly of EnergyEfficiency.ie which promotes renewables like solar panels in Ireland, said that it is promising to see the green economy grow at such a rate, but that the growth means that urgent upskilling is needed to meet demand.
“Expertise in the areas of pollution prevention, sustainable supply chain management, and renewable energy is spreading rapidly to other industries, such as technology, professional services and financial services.”
“The analysis clearly shows a need for investment in green expertise, to allow for supply to keep pace with a growth in demand. Companies clearly see upskilling as a vital part of their future success, with almost 60% saying that upskilling programmes must be implemented as a matter of urgency.”
Mr Kelly said that while the analysis shows the gap between expertise and demand for expertise, another key takeaway is that many sectors are playing their part in the green transition.
“12.4% of jobs requiring a green skill means that businesses across Ireland are taking climate action seriously,” he said.
“It is fantastic to see the growth of green skills as a requirement in many roles, and it is now crucial that the government works with businesses to truly embrace and develop green skills as we prepare for Ireland’s low-carbon future.”
Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. FG Newswire and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and would like it removed please contact info@fgnewswire.com