As the clean energy sector accelerates towards net-zero targets, one of the biggest challenges remains securing the talent to drive this transformation. Insights from the Student Energy Transition Skills Project reveal that 75% of respondents are either interested in or want to work in roles supporting the energy transition. However, 58% cite a lack of awareness about existing job opportunities, and 68% believe they need a STEM background.
This presents a tremendous opportunity for organisations committed to purpose-driven work. With 64.8% of respondents stating that skills training would equip them for these roles, there is a growing, engaged pipeline of future talent ready to contribute to the clean energy revolution.
Join us as we share insights from our research projects identifying career pathways to accelerate and impact the energy transition! We will also take a look at other initiatives which will inform our panel discussion on how employers can align with the values of our future workforce to attract and empower a sustainable pipeline of talent.
Some key questions we'll explore include:
- How can employers attract talent by aligning with the values of Gen Z?
- What existing skills from other industries and disciplines can be mobilised to meet the demands of the energy transition?
- How can organisational development and workforce planning pivot to meet the changing needs of the clean energy sector?
Who should attend?
This event is tailored for leaders in the energy sector, including:
- Workforce Planning / Strategy
- Leadership & Professional Development
- Organisational Transformation
- Sector Reform
- Talent Acquisition
- HR, People & Culture Professionals
- Education & Training Experts
Join us to explore how to unlock a new pipeline of talent and help accelerate the global clean energy transition.
Agenda
The agenda will be finalised closer to the event, but you can look forward to short talks, a panel discussion, and opportunities for Q&A before finishing the event with networking drinks at the venue.
Event Details
Date: 12 November 2024
Time: Registration opens at 2pm. Event runs 2.30pm - 5.30pm, including networking.
Location: Tyree Room, John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW Sydney
Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of energy!
Our Speakers
Danny Kennedy - Danny Kennedy was the founding CEO of New Energy Nexus, a global platform organisation for funds and incubators, with chapters in a dozen countries from 2015-2024. He continues as a Venture Partner with the New Energy Nexus' Catalyst Fund. His focus has moved from innovating new climate solutions to building the ones we've got while continuing to make SFUN (Solar for Universal Need)!
Kennedy co-founded Sungevity in 2007, the company that created remote solar design, and Powerhouse, an innovation firm in Oakland, California. He was the first backer of Mosaic in 2011, the multi-billion solar loan provider, and remains on the Board of Powerhive, a solar mini-utility in Kenya. He was a founding Director of Sunergise, the solar-as-a-service business out of Fiji and the EnergyLab Australia.
Kennedy authored "Rooftop Revolution: How Solar Power Can Save Our Economy – and Our Planet – from Dirty Energy" in 2012. In 2022 and 2023 he and Cate Blanchett hosted Audible's 2 award-winning podcast series called "Climate of Change". Prior to being an entrepreneur and investor he worked at Greenpeace, Project Underground and other NGOs on climate & energy issues since 1989.
Jacqueline Crawshaw - Jacqueline has as a wealth of energy sector, policy, and regulatory experience, gained through more than nineteen years in the energy industry. Most recently, Jacqueline lead the work at Energy Consumers Australia committed to ensuring good consumer outcomes from the complex energy markets.
Jacqueline will soon be working with the Commonwealth Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) on Australia's CER (Consumer Energy Resources) Roadmap's Consumers workstream.
Understanding the complex challenges ahead for our energy transition, Jacqueline believes that the energy sector needs diverse perspectives and skills to tackle the conflicting complexities we will face in the quest for net zero.
Rick Irons-Mclean - As Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft ANZ, Rik drives tangible customer and industry business outcomes through the adoption of strategic data and digital technology. Previously he held roles as Worldwide Sales Enablement Lead for Sustainability in Microsoft corporate, and Strategy Director for manufacturing, energy and resources in the UK.
Rik has sat on industry boards and standards groups for energy, manufacturing, sustainability, IoT, digital twins and digital skills, and is currently part of the Climate Leaders Coalition, and the Sustainability Tech Council, in Australia.
Hua Chai - Dr. Hua Chai is a Microcredential Content Developer at the UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute (DGFI). He holds a PhD in Engineering Education focusing on curriculum development for energy systems. His commitment to teaching and learning has been recognised through the UNSW Engineering Student’s Choice Teaching Award (2021) and the UNSW Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2023). Dr. Chai is dedicated to shaping and upskilling the future workforce for a sustainable energy landscape with a deep passion for guiding the next generation toward careers in decarbonisation and energy transition.
Student Energy UNSW – The first Student Energy Chapter in Australia, dedicated to empowering the next generation of energy leaders through knowledge sharing and innovation. Co-President Hamish Teasdale and Angela Le will share their insights.