13 March 2025, 5:30–9:00 PM AEDT
Greenhouse Tech Hub, 180 George St, Sydney
Watt's Next? Powering Your Climate Careers
Watt's Next? Powering Your Climate Careers is an event focusing on workforce development and career pathways in Australia's fast-growing clean energy and climate innovation sector. The event brought together experts, community leaders, and innovators to discuss the energy transition, reskilling legacy-industry workers, and practical strategies for entering the climate sector.
Summary
The Australian economy is transitioning from legacy fossil-fuel industries towards a renewables-based future. This event, part of the Climate Innovation and Investment Summit closing events, centered on how to support regional communities and workers through this transformation while outlining specific career opportunities in the climate sector.
Two panel discussions provided insights into workforce transformations and practical career advice, featuring leaders from AGL, Hi Neighbour, Energy Estate, econome, Energy Lab, UNSW TRaCE, Tech Visa, and LinkedIn.
How can we ensure regional workers and communities thrive in the energy transition?
What specific career opportunities, skill sets, and strategies do professionals need to succeed in climate-focused roles?
Context and Objectives
Australia is undergoing one of its most significant economic shifts since industrialization driven by government net-zero commitments and technological advances in renewables. This event aimed to address the need for transforming a fossil-fuel reliant workforce into one that is prepared for a sustainable, inclusive future.
The intended audience included students, early-career professionals, mid-career switchers, industry veterans, and community leaders eager to learn, upskill, and drive equitable outcomes in the evolving clean-energy landscape.
Workforce Transition & Regional Identity
Strategies to reskill coal and heavy-industry workers with a focus on community-oriented approaches.
Collaboration & Social License
The importance of early and transparent community consultation including engaging with local councils and Indigenous custodians.
Skill Gaps & Hiring Trends
Addressing the rising demand for engineers, project managers, and professional services talent, often in emerging renewable energy hubs.
Pathways for Professionals
Leveraging existing skill sets, building a personal climate story, and using networks to transition into climate-focused roles.
The Workforce Behind the Energy Transition
Key discussion points
Focus on large-scale workforce transitions, community engagement, and the creation of resilient regional hubs.
Regional Transition & Community Identity
- Emphasized the importance of early, transparent communication during transitions such as the Liddell Power Station closure.
- Recognized the cultural significance of coal in local communities and the need for respectful retraining initiatives.
Skill-Building & Collaboration
- Advocated for expanding vocational training and industry-backed upskilling programs.
- Highlighted the role of peer-led training and micro-credential initiatives.
Panelists
Moderator
CEO of econome, facilitating structured career transition programs and hosting the discussion on workforce needs.
Speakers
Head of Hunter Energy Hub at AGL Energy Ltd, known for his human-centered leadership approach in workforce transitions.
Founding Director at Hi Neighbour and social entrepreneur championing community-led engagement and retraining programs.
Chief Projects Officer at Energy Estate with decades of global experience in energy development and community co-design.
Landing (or Launching) Your Career in Climate
Key discussion points
Practical insights on hiring trends, essential skill sets, career positioning, and personal branding for a successful transition into climate-focused roles.
Hiring Trends & Skill Sets
- Data from LinkedIn highlights a global shortfall in green talent relative to demand.
- UNSW TRaCE's integration of clean-energy modules and micro-credential offerings addresses critical skill gaps.
Practical Career Pathways
- Encouraged professionals to leverage internal sustainability initiatives and transferable skills.
- Discussed visa pathways for recruiting specialized international talent in R&D roles.
Storytelling & Personal Branding
- Stressed the importance of building a visible climate story through LinkedIn and other social media channels.
- Emphasized personal branding as a tool to demonstrate passion and capability in sustainability.
Panelists
Moderator
Operations Lead at Energy Lab, guiding the panel with practical tips for jobseekers, founders, and career pivoters.
Speakers
Sharing insights on applying unique backgrounds and upskilling strategies to break into climate tech roles.
CEO at Tech Visa, specializing in global talent mobility and navigating immigration frameworks for climate ventures.
Learning Manager at UNSW TRaCE, dedicated to bridging academic programs with the evolving demands of the climate sector.
Senior News Editor focusing on sustainability content, highlighting trends in climate hiring and the power of personal branding.
Insights
Renewable Regions as Opportunity Hubs
- Communities like Hunter and Illawarra can pivot from coal-heavy legacies to diversified clean-energy economies.
- Collaboration among local government, unions, businesses, and nonprofits is vital to the transition.
Skill Gaps Require Innovative Solutions
- There is a significant shortfall in green talent compared to employer demand.
- Micro-credentials, industry-led training, and bridging programs are key to upskilling the workforce.
Inclusive Workforce Development
- Ensuring gender equity, First Nations leadership, and youth inclusion are essential for a robust future workforce.
- Programs must recognize diverse pathways, whether retraining legacy workers or fostering advanced roles in high-tech sectors.
Conclusion
Australia's energy transition requires a long-term approach that aligns industrial strategies with the needs and identities of regional communities. The event highlighted the importance of upskilling, practical career pathways, and collaboration between government, industry, and local leaders to ensure a skilled, inclusive workforce.
Attendees were encouraged to take concrete steps—such as building their personal climate brand, engaging in local initiatives, and participating in ongoing dialogue—to help drive the clean-energy future. The discussions made clear that immediate action and robust partnerships are essential for a successful transition.
Long-Term Vision: Aligning new industrial strategies with regional community identities to ensure sustainable growth.
Immediate Action: Prioritizing upskilling and bridging knowledge gaps to meet the evolving demands of the climate sector.
Collaboration: Fostering multi-stakeholder engagement among government, industry, academia, and communities to build a future-ready workforce.