Global demand for green talent grew twice as quickly as supply between 2023 and 2024
One in eight (12.4%) Irish jobs now requiring at least one green skill according to the latest Labour Market Pulse report from IDA Ireland, in collaboration with Microsoft and LinkedIn.
As the global economy pivots toward sustainable practices, Ireland has the potential to become a leader in this transition, thanks to its ambitious climate goals, desire to attract more green-focused foreign direct investment (FDI), and growing demand for specialised green skills across industries.
The global demand for green skills is rapidly outpacing supply, with estimates indicating that by 2050 twice as many jobs will require green expertise than there will be people qualified to fill them. LinkedIn data saw demand for green talent grow by over 22.1% last year – well above the global average of 11.6% – demonstrating a strong and immediate need to upskill the workforce to keep up with the demands of the green economy. This trend has been evident for an extended period now with LinkedIn’s analysis also highlighting that demand for green skills in Ireland grew at twice the rate of the rest of the world – 11.9% vs 6% – between 2021-2024. Furthermore, it green talent has become highly attractive to employers, as job seekers in Ireland with green skills or titles achieve a 79.8% higher hiring rate than the workforce overall.
Green skills are most concentrated in industries like Utilities, Construction, and Manufacturing, with skills such as Environmental Impact Assessment and Operational Efficiency among the fastest growing in demand. However, the need for skills in areas like sustainable supply chain management, pollution prevention, and renewable energy is spreading rapidly to other industries, such as professional services, financial services, and technology.
To support this need Skillnet Ireland’s Ireland Talent Landscape 2024 report highlighted that over 59% of businesses see upskilling in sustainability as critical to their future success. Green skills development is not only vital for environmental goals but also serves as a key driver for economic growth, innovation, and job creation.
Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland said: ‘’Sustainability is a key focus in IDA’s strategy, and we are committed to helping multinationals in Ireland achieve their sustainability goals. IDA have facilitated 50 green investments so far, and we are looking forward to continuing that progress.’’
LinkedIn Ireland country manager Sue Duke added: “The climate crisis is the biggest challenge facing society and green talent will be central to overcoming it. We can already see that Irish companies are stepping up to play their part, as evidenced by the high levels of hiring for workers with green skills and it is crucial that supply is boosted in order to meet demand. Upskilling will play a crucial role as we cannot simply wait for new talent with the requisite skills to enter the workforce to deliver on this.”
TechCentral Reporters
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers