Green skills are in demand: Here's how to get started in sustainability

Transforming the economy to combat climate change will be a major feature of the coming years, with reports highlighting both the costs of environmental damage and the economic opportunities in growing demand for green goods and services.

The green transition will mean ensuring workers are equipped with the relevant skills. However, LinkedIn data shows a disconnect between the supply and demand of "green talent", with demand outstripping supply – suggesting an area of opportunity for those seeking to pivot into roles in the sustainability field.

The LinkedIn 2023 Global Green Skills Report shows that the share of green talent across 48 countries grew by an average of 12.3% between 2022 and 2023, but the proportion of job postings requiring at least one green skill was up by 22.4%.

The report also highlighted that green jobs are bucking a wider slowdown in the labour market: Between February 2022 and February 2023, LinkedIn green job postings across 48 countries rose by a median of 15.2%. In the UK, green jobs now make up a third (33%) of job postings.

This presents an opportunity for workers, particularly with the UK job market showing signs of cooling in parts. Though the labour market is still tight and unemployment dropped slightly in April, a recent survey by KPMG and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation showed a fall in permanent staff employment in May.

Research also suggests that workers are continuing to re-evaluate their careers. A recent survey from PwC found that nearly a quarter of UK workers are looking to move jobs over the next year. 

So, how can workers with little or no green experience find the opportunities in the sustainability and environmental space? 

According to the report, solar consultant, energy auditor and waste management specialist were the roles in the UK that are growing quickly and are less difficult to break into for those with no green experience.

Another way to transition into a green job is to look for a gateway role that involves sustainability-related components, to act as a stepping stone to acquire the skills to move into a job that has more technical green competencies at its core. Green skills that could fall into this include climate action planning, corporate sustainability and sustainable procurement.

What's the best way to pivot into a green role and develop such skills in your current job or company? We asked experts for their advice.

Get clear on your motivations

Rhian Sherrington FRSA, Founder / Head Coach , founder of the Women in Sustainability Network , suggests starting by considering the overlap between what the world needs and your values and interests. Looking at resources such as United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) might offer some inspiration, she says.

Sherrington says it's important to "reflect on what 'ESG' [Environmental, Social and Governance] actually means to you. Get clear on your motivations, your purpose, your why."

It's key to be clear on where your strengths lie, says Sherrington. She points to the Inner Development Goals framework, which provides insights on the soft skills needed to help meet the SDGs by 2050.

Unpacking and making sense of your career story so far is also an important part of transitioning into a sustainability-focused role, she says, explaining that "it’s your job to translate those experiences into the evidence as to why that makes you a good match".

Finding green skills opportunities where you are

Seeking out opportunities to embed sustainability within your current role is another way to gain relevant experience. 

Victoria Harvey , PhD researcher for climate change at the University of East Anglia, says: "Having a department sustainability mindset is imperative, because almost everything the business does stems from this."

She explains that a "business will have an uphill struggle in creating change at any kind of scale" if staff in different departments don't understand how to pivot their roles and skills towards sustainability. 

Employees should look to tap into any budget for continued professional development, she says. To make the case for further education, Harvey suggests highlighting the benefits that this will bring to the company, such as an understanding of how to futureproof the business. 

"Informed employees also make better citizens – they become information spreaders, encouraged to not only disseminate this information at work, but also to influence their communities, their families, club members," she points out. 

Similarly, Dr. Jacqui Taylor , CEO of FlyingBinary, says that purpose-driven goals like climate commitments "create a halo effect for the whole company in the marketplace".

She says that this has a "direct benefit" on company revenue and profits: "Not many company initiatives can claim that." 

What do you think are the best ways to develop green skills and pivot into these roles? Share your thoughts in the comments or post using #GreenSkills.

Applying for green roles

When it comes to applying for your first role in sustainability, Rhian Sherrington FRSA, Founder / Head Coach also recommends tailoring your CV and cover letter to mirror the language in the job description, as this demonstrates a better understanding of the job. 

Gaining skills on the side

Another way to move into the sustainability space, particularly into roles in green tech, is to try building a website or product as a side hustle, says Illai Gescheit , venture partner at Siemens Energy Ventures. "Building for me is the ultimate way to gain skills in the topic," he says.

Starting sustainability conversations

Just because you don't work in sustainability, doesn't mean you don't have an interest in it. And it shouldn't mean you don't speak up either, says Toby Green , founder of MyCarbon. He shares four questions anyone can ask to start the conversation about climate change and find out what action your company is taking.

Reported by Vicky McKeever , associate news editor at LinkedIn News UK