Match and mismatch in the energy market

The growing demand

The urgency of sustainability, the rise of renewable energy sources and stricter legislation are creating an explosion in demand for skilled workers. Companies and governments are looking for technical specialists, data analysts and consultants who can accelerate the energy transition. In particular, expertise in solar and wind energy, hydrogen technology and grid management is in demand.

The limited availability

However, the supply of energy professionals isn't growing at the same pace. Training and retraining programs can't keep up with the rapid demand, while the outflow is increasing due to the aging population. Furthermore, there's a shortage of technically skilled personnel, and training new specialists often takes several years. This creates a structural shortage of qualified personnel.

Solutions to the mismatch

Closing the gap between supply and demand requires a joint effort. This can be achieved by, among other things:

• Investing in education and retraining: More practice-oriented training and flexible learning paths for lateral entrants;
• Better working conditions: Making energy jobs more attractive through higher salaries and better career opportunities;
• International recruitment: Attracting energy professionals from abroad to meet the short-term shortage;
• More efficient use of technology: Automation and digitalization can help reduce dependence on scarce technical personnel.

The energy transition hinges on a sufficient number of qualified personnel. Only through a smart combination of education, labor market policy, and innovation can the gap between supply and demand be effectively closed.