Bridging the talent gap: Renewable energy boom sparks urgent skills demand

KUCHING (Feb 28): The rapid shift towards renewable energy has triggered an urgent demand for skilled professionals, exposing a critical talent shortage worldwide.

This challenge was highlighted during a panel discussion at the CONNECT Energy Borneo 2025 conference hosted by the Energy Industries Council (EIC) at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre earlier this week.

Industry experts have stressed the need for cross-disciplinary expertise that seeks to blend traditional engineering with digital, artificial intelligence (AI), and data-driven skills to meet the evolving demands of the sector.

“The renewable energy industry lacks not only traditional engineers but also highly skilled, cross-skilled talents who can use science, technologies, and AI to accelerate energy transitions,” said Sabrina Cheng, chief executive officer of Intellis Corporation.

“The skills needed vary depending on a company’s strategy, but tech-savviness is now a core requirement,” she added. According to Cheng, the renewable energy industry faces different challenges across regions.

She pointed out that while the Middle East is experiencing significant renewable energy growth, it faces a severe talent shortage. In Malaysia, ongoing projects require more mid level workers, particularly engineers, rather than top management.

Meanwhile, China boasts a vast pool of engineers due to its strong manufacturing capabilities but lacks international top management and industry leaders who can expand Chinese companies into the global market.

Cheng stressed that the solutions to this must be both short and long term. In the short term, companies can rely on agencies to recruit top management and skilled workers. However, she said the industry must be able to attract and train the younger generation for long-term sustainability.

“Education needs a revolution. Universities and institutions must prioritise training students in both traditional energy processes and emerging technologies such as IT and data analytics.

“Companies need professionals who can bridge these fields to improve efficiency and innovation,” she said.

She also highlighted the importance of cross-border training and collaboration to enhance workforce skills and the role of advanced technology in optimising operations and reducing manpower needs.

In China, for example, companies invest in students before they even graduate.

“They provide lessons, internships, and structured career development to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers. The competition is intense, but it produces high-quality talent,” she explained.

Meanwhile, NES Fircroft business development director Paul Robinson noted that the energy sector is experiencing an unusual period of transition. Three or four years ago, many believed oil and gas were on the decline, with renewables taking over. But now, oil and gas are resurging alongside the energy transition.

IT and data centres are driving demand for green energy, he said.

He also stressed the importance of attracting young talent to the industry through partnerships with educational institutions, re-skilling programmes, and early career development. “When looking at attracting people for specific projects, companies should consider re-skilling.

“Many experienced oil and gas workers could easily transition to renewables given the right training. “There’s a crossover of skill sets, and re-skilling is key,” he explained.

He also stressed the importance of staff retention, especially as global markets grow increasingly competitive.

“Retention policies are crucial. The Middle East, for instance, is actively hiring talent from Southeast Asia. So, while attracting young talent is essential, holding onto key staff is equally important,” he added.

The conference also addressed concerns about an aging workforce and a widening skills gap, exacerbated by economic slowdowns and disruptions like the Covid-19 pandemic. To bridge this gap, the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) is stepping up with specialised training programmes tailored to industry needs.

“At Centexs, we don’t just send students for internships. We design programmes in collaboration with industry players to ensure they align with market demands. “Training is delivered jointly, and we aim for high employability rates,” said Centexs Sarawak Industry and ESG Academy chief academic officer Dr Nadianatra Musa.

Centex currently boasts a graduate employability rate of 94 to 95 percent, with some students opting for further studies.

-Agency