Firms seek out ‘green talent’ despite jobs market slowdown

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Sarah Collins

Companies may be on a hiring slowdown but they are increasingly looking for people with climate-related skills.

The hiring rate was 12.7pc lower, year on year, in October, according to analysis by IDA Ireland, LinkedIn and Microsoft, although it is still 6.3pc above pre-pandemic levels.

The figures come after the IDA revealed 2022 has been another record year for hiring in the multinational sector, with the number of jobs growing 9pc.

Meanwhile, the share of “green talent” on LinkedIn – compliance managers, data scientists, environmental health and safety specialists or risk advisors – rose from 9.6pc to 13.3pc globally between 2015 and 2021, IDA Ireland said in its latest Labour Market Pulse.

The number of Irish LinkedIn members considered to be “green talent” in 2021 was around 13pc.

“Ireland is committed to one of the most ambitious climate action plans of any developed country,” said Climate Minister Eamon Ryan.

"Key to guaranteeing a more sustainable and secure future is ensuring we have the right green skills to power the transition to net zero.

“The growing sustainability skillset among Irish professionals, coupled with the future demand for talent not only in a range of burgeoning climate sectors – like renewable energy and retrofitting but also in more traditional sectors – indicates the breadth of opportunities ahead in the journey to tackle climate change.”

Sharon McCooey, head of LinkedIn Ireland, said there were over 20,000 roles to be filled by 2030 in order to meet demand by companies in Ireland hiring for green skills.