Many who work in the field of coal mining or the oil and gas industries are afraid that solar would take away their jobs. The fact is that last year, the growth in solar jobs has increased 17 times faster than the whole U.S economy, and according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, solar energy is outnumbering the oil, gas and mining jobs altogether.
When adding up the numbers, it can be quite alarming for a worker in one of these conventional energy resources. However, this does not have to be the case, as solar is, in fact, offering new job opportunities for anyone who is interested.
Employees who have made the transition from let’s say an oil rig job to a solar job may be getting paid a fraction less, but at least the uneasy thought of losing their job has disappeared. Required training and education can give workers the chance to grow and increase their salary. People with other occupations in the old energy field, for instance, technical workers or janitors have an opportunity to even earning in a similar job in the solar industry or roofing industry. In such a case, they would do the same work, but with higher standards.
Up until now, jobs in installation, construction, and manufacturing have been opening up in the new energy sector, and the industry is continuing to add capacity.
New careers in the solar industry have not just become attractive to those who fear their current energy jobs, but to the new employment force as well. The younger generations are finding careers in the coal, oil and gas industry unappealing due to environmental awareness. Many women are quickly finding their way in the solar industry which makes solar jobs very versatile and friendly to all.
Employment is not only found in the power creation field but the in the energy transmission, storage and distribution area as well which offers workers of the power- and pipeline section new opportunities as well.
Making the transition
No secrets are hiding in the way renewal energy works. Therefore, the comparison of the skills between the old and new energy sectors are usually straightforward.
The management of the traditional energy industries is to the solar management needs and the same goes for the technical needs of the low carbon energy sector. However, the skills that get obtained through an apprenticeship and education outreach program may have a long incubation period.
In some countries, governments are taking the lead in the transition progress as they are offering training programs and government grants for green skills initiatives.
By 2070 the energy industry will become carbon neutral to avoid the rise of temperature. Knowing this, workers certainly cannot see a future in the old energy sector anymore.
Workers who are willing to learn new skills and improve their old ones certainly have a more secure employment future in the solar industry. Competition in this field during the transition time can be tough, but eventually, energy jobs will become equally distributed throughout countries.