SolarPower Europe, Google join forces to launch #SolarWorks campaign

SolarPower Europe has teamed up with Grow with Google, an initiative to help people get the skills they need to find a job and grow their career or business, and created the #SolarWorks campaign.

This #SolarWorks campaign is a new programme aimed to showcase the diverse range of careers in the solar sector and connect potential solar workers with the right training to get them started.

SolarPower Europe has produced #SolarWorks promotional videos in countries where major solar growth is forecast: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain.

The video series tells the stories of current solar workers on various sites, from an agri-PV plant to a floating solar installation to a manufacturing facility, where they share their experience and advice on kickstarting a solar career. The inspirational testimonies aim to mobilise the future solar workforce and help guide those interested in joining the sector with reskilling.

According to SolarPower Europe, solar could create 4 million jobs across Europe by 2050. To meet the enormous job potential, it is urgent to mobilise the workforce with the right skills. IRENA said last week that about 12 million people were employed in the renewables sector in 2020, directly and indirectly. Solar PV leads the field and accounts for some 4 million jobs today, according to the IRENA report.

#SolarWorks: job opportunities are growing in the 🇪🇺 solar sector.

We talked to workers in major #solar markets to hear about their experience and advice starting a career in solar.

Start learning today and see where solar can take you! https://t.co/KQ9FBog1Ip #Greenjobs #COP26 pic.twitter.com/zpg98736P1

— SolarPower Europe (@SolarPowerEU) October 29, 2021

Lack of skilled EU workers in clean energy technologies is quickly becoming a critical bottleneck

Stefano Grassi, Head of Cabinet of Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, said that this week’s State of the Energy Union report shows that, as an energy source for Europe, renewables overtook fossil fuels for the first time in 2020.

“To continue this encouraging trend, and ensure we meet our climate goals, we need to mobilise a workforce to support the green transition. SolarPower Europe’s campaign will accelerate much-needed recruitment for green jobs, and help maximise the potential of the European solar industry,” he underlined.

270.000 new professionals in the sector of electrical contractors will need to be hired across Europe by 2030

According to Amanda Peterson Corio, Global Lead, Energy Delivery at Google, solar power is expected to grow exponentially in Europe, creating millions of jobs across a diverse range of professions. Through Google’s partnership with SolarPower Europe, the company is helping to raise awareness about the wide range of career opportunities available in the sector and connect people with the right training to get them started, she said.

“Currently, there is a lack of skilled EU workers in clean energy technologies, which is quickly becoming a critical bottleneck that could hamper the deployment of solar and renewables,” said Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, adding that solar can support a just transition and green recovery.

EuropeOn, the European association for electrical contractors, participated in the creation of the campaign. Contractors install, operate and maintain solar panels. Julie Beaufils, Secretary General of EuropeOn, said this is an exciting time to join the fast-evolving trade where 270.000 new professionals would need to be hired across Europe by 2030.