LinkedIn has recently released a report that discusses the transformation of how, why and where the world population works. They've labelled it the 'Great Reshuffle', an unprecedented time in history where the entire workforce is reimagining future occupations. The report shows that people are actively acquiring new skills and pursuing new projects whilst employers are busy creating new markets and business models to keep up with the change. The Great Reshuffle is causing economic upheavals, and climate change demands that usually take decades. It's clear that society demands a green economy to tackle the crisis. 

Achieving the collective global climate targets is colossal and requires an immediate transformation of skills and jobs to make it happen. Globally there is already a positive shift to green skills with green talent on the rise; the fastest growth is in ecosystem management, environmental policy and pollution prevention. It’s essential that governments focus on skills and abilities rather than just job titles and qualifications. Many green skills are already used in non-traditional green jobs such as in the health, data and transportation industries.

The workforce is ready; the planet can't wait

LinkedIn is committed to tackling the climate change challenge and strives to be a catalyst for job and skill transformations. They are leveraging their unique data and labour market expertise to highlight actionable insights to help avoid potential pitfalls and ensure a successful green transition. Their research shows that insights from data will allow companies to increase green skill roles. LinkedIn data shows that the five fastest-growing green jobs between 2016 and 2021 are sustainability manager, wind turbine technician, solar consultant, ecologist, and environmental health and safety specialist. 

Trends show the necessity for green skilling within industries and geographies that have traditionally focused on high-emission jobs. Data shows that various global sectors are already attracting green skills at differing paces, and workers are already upskilling to green their jobs. If the planet is going to achieve tough climate goals, green skills need to increase in every sector and country. Throughout the Great Reshuffle, not one industry has been left unchanged. LinkedIn is keen to empower policymakers and business leaders with specific insights across sectors and countries, outlining the needs of the workforce and what skills are required.

LinkedIn data clarifies that we need to act quickly and confidently, and it shows which areas require the most urgent attention. These insights help policymakers and business leaders make evidence-based, focused decisions about the necessary green transition. 

The gender gap

The green gender gap has been stationary and hasn't improved since 2015. Green talent has grown at a similar pace for men and women, yet men are transitioning into greener jobs faster than women. In fact, men transitioned into green jobs by 66 per cent and into greening jobs by 63 per cent. Countries that are beginning to close the gender gap are concentrated in Europe, including Cyprus, Malta, Ireland, The Netherlands, and Denmark. Data shows that there are opportunities for younger generations to positively impact greening, now and throughout their careers. The most substantial annual growth in green talent is among Millennials worldwide. 

Transitioning Workforce

• Gain green skills to compete for the best jobs and influence change
• Consider a career that allows regular training
• Expand network through platforms such as LinkedIn
• Follow topics and companies of interest
• Register with purpose recruitment consultancies 
• Top-up training with e-learning courses
• Stay on top of trends, skills and training to remain competitive in the market 

Business leaders

• Support up and reskilling through learning courses and local programmes
• Hire diverse green skilled talent
• Use with purpose recruitment consultants 
• Current and prospective candidates expect action on climate change, recognise the importance of upskilling your talent brand
• Reimagine future roles
• Create entrepreneurial opportunities, expand economies and increase green skills in your sector

Policymakers 

• Promote a skills-based approach to opportunity
• Connect green skills, jobs and policies, ensuring balanced development and demand
• Provide direction on skills that need development to help business leaders and the workforce prepare for the future
• Raise awareness and provide training to accommodate green policies
• Build upon or create new online learning green resources available to encourage employment throughout the green transition
• Invest into training, empower individuals and foster entrepreneurship
• Ensure policies create equal development opportunities for all diverse groups
• Instigate dialogue, enable knowledge sharing and pool resources
• Encourage equality and protect vulnerable groups

Green hiring in Australia

Green hiring is beginning to accelerate rapidly in Australia. Upskilling teams will allow the green transformation to gain traction in the broader Australian economy. It’s essential that employers begin to think about equipping their workforce with green skills, even if they are not immediately relevant and their roles are not conventionally associated with environmental impact.

Green power and construction are essential to Australia’s greening. The energy and mining sector hired the greenest talent in 2021 as the government’s AU$1.4 billion investment in renewable generation and storage and adoption of a renewable energy target (RET). The construction sector will likely accelerate green hiring in the coming years as demand for green buildings and infrastructure grows. Ecologists and geologists rank as two of the three fastest-growing jobs in response to Australia’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. Popular skills such as sustainability and environmental impact allow job seekers to recognise the importance of minimising the impact new development projects have on the environment.

If companies can begin introducing green skills into non-green roles, there will be opportunities for transformation. The workforce, business leaders and governments must identify how existing jobs can become greener and drive green transformation forward into a new future.