Most In-Demand Skills in the Renewable Energy Sector
09 Apr 2025
The renewable energy sector is a rapidly growing, highly skilled industry with a diverse array of employment opportunities, from mechanical and electrical engineering jobs in the field, to back-office support roles, admin and HR.
But what skills do you need for renewable energy? That's a big question, and it can depend on the role you are applying for.
Here are seven essential skills you need for renewable energy roles in general. You might not need all of these for every job advertised in the sector, but they're a strong starting point for anyone who wants to work in green energy.
Communication Skills
One of the most highly prized 'soft skills', communication is about how you convey meaning and interact with the people around you.
What are communication skills?
Good communication skills are more complex than you might think. Communication isn't just talking and listening, it's about sharing meaning. In practical terms, that can be with colleagues and customers, by face, phone or email.
Why do I need communication skills?
Effective communicators are valued highly by the best employers. If you can communicate well, you're a good management prospect, and it's likely you'll work well in a team.
How much experience do I need?
It depends on your role. An engineer who works alone will typically need less developed interpersonal skills than a manager, HR representative or marketing executive.
How can I gain communication skills?
No matter the role, building your communication skills is a good way to strengthen your CV with transferable, widely valued 'soft skills'. If you're already in work, look for ways to gain more experience, for example by helping to host training sessions, taking more customer enquiries, and keeping detailed notes of any successes you achieve along the way.
Environmental Awareness
An understanding of environmental issues goes hand in hand with working in the renewable energy sector.
What is environmental awareness?
This isn't just about big issues like climate change and global warming. It can include local concerns like habitat destruction, soil and water pollution, and so on.
Why do I need environmental awareness?
Formal training in these areas can help you to plan and deliver projects in a way that maximises positive outcomes, while minimising negative impacts on nature.
How much environmental awareness do I need?
In general, more is better. Depending on the location of your work, you may need specific awareness e.g. endangered species protection, flood risks and microclimates.
How can I gain environmental awareness?
You could complete an industry-accredited online environmental awareness training course or ask your current employer about workplace training opportunities. Try to do some reading and research to understand the specific environment in your location, too.
Innovation and Initiative
Climbing the ladder is a lot easier if you can demonstrate innovation and initiative, to show you have what it takes to deliver in a more senior role.
What are innovation and initiative?
Both innovation and initiative are about the way you think and the actions you take. Initiative is often thought of as being how you conduct yourself when working independently, whereas innovation is more likely to involve other people.
Why do I need innovation and initiative?
You can think of innovation as flexible intelligence: the ability to adapt in a creative way under your own initiative. You might need to do this to overcome challenges, to achieve more with limited resources, or to find compromises between unhappy colleagues.
How much innovation and initiative do I need?
This really depends on your role. Some initiative is always helpful though, even in very clearly defined roles. This feeds into your problem solving ability, which we'll look at in a moment.
How can I gain innovation and initiative?
If you're not much of an original thinker, it can be hard to gain innovation directly. But you can work on your self-confidence and make more helpful, constructive suggestions to show your more innovative side.
Problem Solving
Get your thinking cap on, there's a problem to solve! Overcoming everyday challenges is at the heart of many jobs, and roles in renewables are no exception.
What is problem solving?
Problem solving is exactly what it says: facing a problem and finding a way past it. In some cases, that might be a 'least bad' option, rather than a perfect outcome.
Why do I need problem solving skills?
Renewable energy is a 'big' sector and can pose some 'big' problems. The ability to keep calm and overcome them will impress senior management and help you on your way to promotion.
How much problem solving experience do I need?
The more problems you overcome, the more confidence you will gain in the face of stressful situations. For your CV and interview, 2-3 specific examples you can choose from should be enough to impress the hiring manager.
How can I gain problem solving skills?
Examples of workplace problem solving are usually worth more in interviews, but any personal anecdotes can be worth mentioning too. One option is to ask your current employer to give you more 'problematic' duties e.g. dealing with unhappy clients.
Project Management
Project management skills become more important as you move up through renewable energy management jobs and take on responsibility for spending and project delivery.
What is project management?
Project management is the ability to coordinate all the different parts of a project, including materials, contractors, deadlines and budgets, to achieve the stated goal and overcome any problems encountered along the way.
Why do I need project management skills?
Effective project management brings major developments in on time, on budget and with fewer unexpected obstacles. If you can deliver this for your employer, you will quickly become indispensable.
How much project management experience do I need?
Some is better than none. Even if you won't be working in a management role, any experience of delivering projects can help you to work better as a team member, with an understanding of the pressures the project is facing.
How can I gain project management experience?
If you're currently in employment, ask to help out with project planning and delivery. It doesn't need to be renewables-related - management experience of all kinds is highly transferable and valued by hiring managers.
Social Awareness
Social awareness is an important part of how the renewable energy sector serves communities and protects the environment for the future.
What is social awareness?
You might find it easier to think about the term 'societal awareness'. This skill is about the impact green energy has on communities (both good and bad) and how the overall benefits are communicated to the general public.
Why do I need social awareness?
Renewable energy infrastructure can be quite imposing, with heavy engineering works and visible impacts on the landscape. Social awareness is a tool to help customers and local residents to see the net benefits of sustainable energy infrastructure.
How much experience do I need?
Any experience is good. Perhaps in a previous role, you had to speak to one or more unhappy customers and win them over. If you've ever 'managed expectations' during your career, it's likely you have some social awareness experience.
How can I gain social awareness?
As a transferable skill, social awareness is something you learn from experience. Make sure you are putting yourself forward for roles with some societal exposure, and spend some time studying the potential negative impacts and public concerns surrounding renewable power.
STEM Background
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) are among the key skills for many roles in renewable energy.
What is a STEM background?
A background in STEM usually includes formal education or training, with certificates to prove that you have a good understanding of the relevant subjects.
Why do I need a STEM background?
Many jobs in renewable energy involve engineering and advanced technology. Even in clerical roles, it can be beneficial to show an understanding of the science behind these.
How much STEM experience do I need?
For back-office jobs, potentially not very much. For engineering roles working on high-tech, high-value infrastructure, probably a good degree-level pass or equivalent.
How can I gain a STEM background?
Formal education (or equivalent workplace training) is usually the best option. There may be apprenticeships in your area if you're only just entering the energy sector and want to learn as you go.
Final thoughts
The more of these skills you can demonstrate, the better your chance to be hired for jobs in the renewable energy sector. A good balance between technical skills and soft skills should go a long way towards impressing any interviewer or hiring manager.
First Recruitment Group have been placing candidates into energy sector roles for over 20 years and we work closely with our clients to understand the technical expertise and experience needed in each role.
This allows us to place the ideal candidate who offers the best fit for skills, experience and company culture. To find out more, email recruit@firstrg.com or call us on +44 (0)1925 907000.
