The clean energy industry employs people from many different fields.
Workers from all types of occupations are crucial for working together to accelerate Australia's clean energy transition.
This part of the guide provides information on the different fields that clean energy workers come from, and the skills and qualifications needed to pursue a career in these areas.
Engineering careers
Engineers are key to the development of renewable energy right from early in the identification of a development opportunity, through the design and build stages, grid-connection, and then operation and maintenance. Engineering qualifications are seen in applied physical design-type roles, but also in more theoretical modelling roles dealing with various types of data.
Civil, electrical, power systems and grid connection engineers are highly sought after across all the technologies. In slightly less high demand but also highly valued are mechanical, mechatronics and SCADA engineers.
In hydropower, both geomatics and hydropower engineers are prized. In wind power, wind reliability engineers are becoming increasingly hard to recruit.
For example, in 2021, as many candidates with mechanical and civil engineering qualifications were recruited as electrical project engineers in renewable energy as candidates with electrical engineering qualifications.
Electrical engineering degrees are the most sought after in the sector. However, also valued are electronics, civil, mechanical, structural, mechatronics, automation, and environmental engineering degrees. Formal project management qualifications or demonstrated experience are important complementary skills for engineers in clean energy.
Personal skills and cross-disciplinary communication abilities are fundamental. Engineers must be able to work with or across other teams and liaise with key internal and external stakeholders with oversight over regulatory or financial considerations.
Timing, cost and compliance are central to engineering design, construction and operations of wind, solar, hydro and battery projects. Similar industries from which there may be an easy transfer of skills include real estate, oil and gas, construction, mining and metals, and manufacturing.
The typical work experience of an engineer in the sector is at least eight years. There is substantial mobility of engineers across employers and technologies. Experience in renewable energy is highly regarded; much of the work is targeted at mid-career level operators. However, new entrants to the market are needed to support the anticipated continued growth of renewables.
According to data from LinkedIn, engineers in clean energy are ‘very hard’ to hire – so there’s definitely a job out there for any engineers interested!
Hydropower engineering roles
Hydropower is a slightly different employer to wind and solar because of the importance of geological processes and civil infrastructure. Some specialist engineering roles support these processes.
Hydrologists, hydropower engineers, geologists and geotechnical or geomatics engineers are specialised roles that are critical to hydropower. These types of roles call for expertise in Geographical Information Systems, climate projections and modelling, hydrological modelling, geomechanical survey data collection and analysis.
A decade of on-the-job training and experience is needed to be effective in some of the senior roles.
Grid connection engineers and managers
Grid connection engineers are needed for all renewable energy technologies. They are in high demand and short supply in Australia.
They usually hold power systems engineering degrees, are proficient in the use of dynamic medium- to long-term simulation models for complex systems and have a minimum of 10 years of work experience.
They have excellent knowledge of the National Electricity Market, and compliance requirements of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) or other network service providers. They are employed by developers, balance-of-plant providers, consultants and AEMO.
Trades or technician careers
Once the design and planning stage is complete, a renewable energy project is built and then run on the ground by teams of skilled tradesworkers, technicians and machine operators, plus labourers.
In general, technicians with electrical, mechanical or civil backgrounds are highly valued, but specific technologies call for specialised skills or global accredited safety training (see Wind or Small-scale solar careers).
Electricians and other electrical workers represent as much as 20 per cent of the entire clean energy workforce, and this figure is even higher in some technologies – such as rooftop solar – or during certain phases of the project. For example, on a solar farm, electricians might represent up to 30 per cent of the construction workforce or more during final commissioning.
Small-scale solar careers
Wind careers
In the electrical space, the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician is the pathway to an electrician’s license, which is needed to carry out much of the electrical work in installation, commissioning or operations. Training in high voltage work is also needed.
For work in small-scale systems, a Certificate IV or relevant skills sets in design and installation of solar/batteries are needed for Solar Accreditation Australia accreditation (see Small-scale solar careers, linked below).
However, there are other electrical qualifications in electricity supply and/or distribution, such as for linesworkers (Certificate III in ESI - Power Systems - Distribution Overhead) and cable jointers (Certificate III in ESI - Power Systems - Distribution Cable Jointing). For those starting out their careers in the electrical industry, they might consider the pre-vocational qualification, such as the Certificate II in Electrotechnology.
In the mechanical space, a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade would provide a solid foundation for a career as a mechanical area superintendent or as a mechanical wind, solar or hydro technician for example. For a career as a blade technician, a Certificate III in Engineering – Composites Trades would be valuable. Federation University is currently designing bespoke offerings of that qualification contextualised to the blade technician’s role.
In the civil space, a Certificate III in Civil Construction provides a broad range of opportunities across multiple project types. These types of skills are generally not employed directly by renewable energy owners or developers, but construction contractors that provide services to solar, wind, battery or hydro projects.
The construction/installation and operating environments of renewable energy can be hazardous areas dealing with live energy. They can also be in elevated (top of a wind tower) or confined (inside a wind tower or underground for hydro) spaces where trust in one’s competency and that of one’s team members are fundamental.
On site, personal and communication skills are therefore essential, both of which go hand-in-hand with a strong focus on safety and quality. Strong problem-solving skills are also important due to the dynamic and innovative nature of the industry. For some industries, particularly in the large-scale clean energy sector, employers will look for people that are willing to travel for varying periods of time and to work in often remote locations. In many cases, shift work will be needed.
The National Skills Priority List of 2021 noted a shortage of electricians in all states except Queensland and strong future demand in both general and specialist occupations, such as solar installations. Our own Clean Energy at Work report noted that already in 2020, in the small-scale sector, around 40 per cent of respondents faced medium to high difficulties finding electricians and 25 per cent in finding appropriately experienced roofers. Across both the large-scale and small-scale sectors, the primary reason given for recruitment difficulties was the lack of candidates with specific experience in renewable energy.
Fitter and turners, fitter-welders, diesel mechanics, line workers, and cable jointers were also all roles listed as facing national shortages in the National Skills Priority List with moderate future demand. Roles such as blade technicians in wind power are not listed in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) but wind farm operators report growing challenges in filling such positions.
Half the small-scale solar workforce is trade-based and more than a third is made up of electricians, apprentices, electrical trade assistants and roofers with solar expertise. Electricians are in particularly high demand across the country as demand for residential and commercial solar systems continues to grow.
Electricians are often supported by apprentices and trade assistants. The trade assistant role can serve as a pathway to an electrical qualification. Roofers often also support the work of rooftop solar installations. To be a roofer, a trade is needed in building and construction.
The design phase of a solar and/or battery system can be undertaken by either university-qualified engineers or electricians, with the most important factor being end-to-end knowledge of the individual, rather than the training pathway.
However, installation of the system is always performed by a licensed electrician. Solar Accreditation Australia is the accreditation body for rooftop solar and battery designers and installers in Australia.
Community and stakeholder engagement careers
Stakeholder and community engagement professionals are an essential part of all renewable energy projects, from initial development stages right through to project end of life. These roles work to advocate, educate and organise to improve industry practices, deliver local benefits and ensure relationships with project landowners, neighbours and local communities are both positive and constructive. This is a role for someone that loves working with people and sharing the incredible benefits of renewable energy with communities.
These roles are generally employed by renewable energy developers who are developing, constructing and operating large-scale renewables projects. They are jacks-of-all-trades with knowledge across a broad spectrum of community and project requirements. In addition to office-based roles, community and stakeholder engagement professionals can be based regionally and look after local engagement within small towns including presentations, fund management and community events.
There are no qualifications required to attain these roles, however experience and attitude are key, and some form of university education is generally helpful. Tertiary qualifications in business communications, public relations, marketing, stakeholder engagement or a related discipline can be good foundations. Certification in IAP2 public participation or similar methodology is an advantage.
Community and stakeholder professionals need good written and verbal communication skills and an ability to work effectively with a wide range of local stakeholders including project neighbours (individuals or family units), local government representatives, local business chambers, leading businesses, local union representatives, social service organisations, Traditional Owners, local farmer organisations, local media leaders, local environment group leaders and others. They must be comfortable in managing conflicting views and difficult situations.
A current drivers licence will likely be required to attend meetings and events. Some locations may be remote so the odd overnight stay or evening work can be required. These roles work well as part-time positions and those wanting a more equal split between life and work. Similar roles in other industries from which there may be an easy transfer of skills include community engagement or community consultation in large regional infrastructure projects. This includes mining, oil and gas, and transport.
Absolutely! These roles are in high demand and will remain an essential part of any large-scale renewable energy project. They can also provide good opportunities to build industry knowledge and skills to move sideways within the business and provide an entry point to project development.
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