Career in the Energy Industry: In-Demand Professions and Skills
The energy industry is a booming industry with many branches. It involves energy gotten from oil and gas, renewable sources, or electricity, which power diverse sectors of the economy like businesses, homes, and industries. The energy industry is evolving, meaning that there is the creation of more roles that can cater to the growing energy demands of society.
If you’re trying to find a place in the energy industry, you don’t have to search too long to identify a role that suits you. For example, because of the increasing and emerging uses of energy, openings for domestic energy assessor roles have also skyrocketed. They assess the efficient usage of energy in homes and prescribe better ways to use energy. You can find these sorts of roles, and many more, on job listing sites like Jooble. Kickstart your energy career by discovering the perfect profession for you.
Benefits of Seeking a Career in the Energy Industry
The energy industry is lucrative, be it for long-term or short-term careers. This is because one requires specialised skills in this industry. Therefore, people in this field are in high demand, and companies offer competitive salaries to have them.
Also, there has been a shift from the use of energy gotten from fossils to renewable energy. This shift continues to gain widespread traction as environmental scientists encourage green energy and sustainable practices for the sake of the ecosystem. Because of this, the energy industry looks like it’s resurfacing anew, and you can be sure of job security. It is practically a gold mine.
Meanwhile, a benefit you can’t overlook is how diverse the professions that are available in this industry are. You can take on hands-on roles like wind turbine or solar panel technicians or more analytical roles like specialists in energy data or even something far out like leadership roles in energy. There’s something for anyone who is interested. The benefits embedded in the energy industry are many. All you have to do is have the skills and qualifications for the role you are looking at.
Careers in the Energy Industry
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty to discuss specific top careers available in the energy industry. Here are a few of them:
- Renewable Energy Engineer
This role requires you to design and create systems from renewable sources like solar, wind, water (hydro), and geothermal. A renewable energy engineer performs the hands-on role of creating technologies that harness renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuel.
You require skills like problem solving and analytical thinking. For these professions, learning design software like AutoCAD is also a great advantage.
- Energy Analyst
This profession allows you to analyse energy production and consumption and also give recommendations on better energy use. They particularly work in big organisations like research institutions and universities, energy companies, and manufacturing and industrial firms. There shouldn’t be confusion between an energy analyst and a domestic energy assessor, as the scale of work differentiates them.
An energy analyst requires hard skills like data analysis and use of modelling software like EnergyPlus and soft skills like attention to detail and collaboration.
- Domestic Energy Assessor
A domestic energy assessor (DEA) monitors the energy efficiency of homes. They carry out surveys and place the results side by side with correct trends to give solutions to energy problems in houses. A DEA reduces energy waste by handling the heating and insulation of homes to save energy.
This role requires the technical knowledge of building construction and heating, along with proficiency in using software that generates energy efficiency certificates.
- Energy Project Manager
Just like any project manager, an energy project manager overseas the execution of any project from the start to the finish. These roles require working on small-scale or large-scale energy installations and power-plants.
You need strong engineering know-how, especially electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering. Likewise, you must be good at project management methodologies like Scrum, Agile, and so on.
- Wind Turbine Technician
These are professionals with the skill of installing, managing, and repairing wind turbines.
As a wind turbine technician, you need to understand the technology of hydraulics and pneumatics as used in turbines. Moreso, you require welding skills for the metal parts and physical fitness, as it is a job that warrants heavy lifting.
Conclusion
The energy field is like a wide expanse of land where varieties of flowers can bloom. It is lucrative and has a lot of opportunities to choose from. To identify what area you want to focus on in this industry, it is worth exploring job listings on platforms like Jooble.