Madrid, 26 January 2025 – The energy transition comes with the need for qualified professionals in the sector. In this context, vocational training plays a crucial role in ensuring the availability of qualified talent capable of meeting the industry’s growing demands. Spain, with its commitment to renewable energy, is in a privileged position to lead this transformation. However, despite its potential to become a European benchmark, it still faces a significant shortage of specialised personnel, which poses a challenge in effectively addressing this transition.
In an exclusive interview with Review Energy, Jaime Albert Mendoza, Business Development Director at AP Executive Search, discusses the need to strengthen vocational training and promote the establishment of educational institutions dedicated to the renewable energy sector. Albert highlights the importance of public and private policies, the creation of tax incentives, and attracting young talent by showcasing how the renewable energy sector is an innovative, sustainable field with a positive societal impact.
R.E.: The World Economic Forum reports that the energy transition will create millions of jobs. How can public policies and private initiatives incentivise training and talent development in the renewable energy sector?
J.A.M.: We believe that public policies must play a key role, both directly and indirectly. Firstly, by supporting the development of renewable energy, which would drive the sector to generate employment opportunities.
Another way to promote training is through the design and implementation of specialised training programmes and the introduction of tax incentives for companies within the sector that invest in training for their employees.
On the other hand, the private sector can contribute by developing internal academies, establishing partnerships with universities, and implementing dual education programmes.
At AP Executive Search, through AP Community, we lead various mentoring programmes aimed at different professional profiles, particularly young individuals with limited work experience or students, providing them the opportunity to connect with industry leaders. Additionally, we offer academic excellence scholarships that enable participants to integrate into work teams involved in both national and international projects.
Public-private collaboration is also essential to ensure that training aligns with the actual needs of the labour market.
R.E.: What types of incentives or support should be offered to new generations to encourage them to choose the energy sector, particularly renewable energy, as their professional future?
J.A.M.: It is crucial to further emphasise that our sector is an innovative, sustainable space with a positive impact on society.
Among young students, there is a growing awareness of the reality of the energy transition, and we consider it important to highlight and promote career opportunities in the fight against climate change.
Through AP Community, we lead various mentoring programmes aimed at different professional profiles, particularly young individuals with limited work experience or students, offering them the opportunity to engage with industry leaders. Additionally, we provide academic excellence scholarships that allow participants to integrate into work teams involved in both national and international projects.
R.E.: As the energy transition accelerates, what challenges do educational and training systems face in terms of speed and adaptation?
J.A.M.: The primary challenge is adapting training programmes, particularly vocational education and training (VET), to these emerging technologies. In recent years, we have witnessed the introduction of new specialisations, subjects, and even engineering disciplines directly related to renewable energy.
We believe that investing in vocational education is key, as seen in countries such as France and Germany, where professionals with these qualifications have become highly valued assets in companies involved in energy transition projects.
There are additional challenges that must be addressed as swiftly as possible, such as the establishment of specialised training centres—similar to those created for wind and photovoltaic energy—for maintenance in emerging sectors like biogas, biomethane, and hydrogen, which will be essential in the near future.
At AP Executive Search, we have AP Academy, a training platform offering courses specifically tailored to these technologies and fully aligned with the needs and interests of our clients.
R.E.: How is Spain positioned to become a European leader in training and talent development in the renewable energy sector?
J.A.M.: Despite the shortage of professionals across almost all areas of renewable energy, Spain is exceptionally well-positioned to become a European benchmark.
We can see this clearly and directly through our recruitment of specialised talent.
Spain possesses the fundamental attributes to establish itself as a leading country, thanks to its vast energy potential. It is one of Europe’s pioneering nations, ranking second in both wind energy capacity and photovoltaic installations, with significant advancements in both technologies.
In fact, we have a highly qualified technical workforce, and the market has placed Spanish engineers and executives in management and leadership roles within numerous international companies, yielding highly positive results.
It will be necessary to further strengthen other sectors such as marine and ocean energy, biogas, and hydrogen, which are rapidly advancing. This will ensure that Spain does not lose the momentum that has positioned it as a European leader in renewable energy.
Source: Review Energy
