While federal incentives may rise and fall, pressure on renewable energy companies to meet clean energy goals — and secure the talent to deliver — continues to intensify. 

Yet the strongest candidates aren’t always visible. Many come from outside the sector. Many aren’t actively looking. And credentials alone don’t reflect the adaptability today’s roles demand. Hiring leaders need new ways to evaluate potential, engage talent and move early before competitors do. 

Let’s break down the key trends reshaping renewable energy recruitment in a talent-strapped market. 

Ambition Outpaces the Workforce 

The departure from fossil fuels and toward cleaner, more sustainable energy will require a workforce twice the size of today’s by 2050, according to LinkedIn’s 2024 Global Green Skills Report. Wind alone is projected to need 532,000 new technicians by 2028 to meet surging demand. And that’s just one role.  

For companies racing to deliver on clean energy promises, the challenge of renewable energy recruitment makes one thing clear: the deeper the demand grows, the harder it becomes to find people with the green skills to match.  

Cross-Sector Migration Is Taking Shape 

Workers from traditional energy, manufacturing and adjacent industries are beginning to cross into the renewable space, bringing with them a wealth of transferable skills and hands-on experience. 

The 2025 Global Energy Talent Index found 40% of traditional energy professionals say they’re open to switching sectors, with renewable energy being their top choice. This presents a powerful opening for expert renewable energy recruiters and hiring leaders alike to look beyond job boards and unlock the potential of cross-sector talent. 

Soft Skills Step Into the Spotlight 

As projects become more cross-functional, soft skills like communication, adaptability and leadership are rising to the top of hiring criteria. For hiring leaders, this marks a shift in mindset. 

Technical training can close knowledge gaps, but it won’t teach someone how to build trust, think clearly under pressure or rally people together around a common goal. It’s often these behavioral strengths that determine who thrives and stays for the long haul.  

Training Becomes Integral to Recruitment Strategy 

Gen Z is perhaps the most promising target for global efforts to double green talent, but today, only one in 20 Gen Z workers has green skills. In response, partnerships with trade schools and workforce programs are gaining traction as a way to give companies a head start, allowing them to shape curriculum, engage with candidates before graduation and streamline the path from classroom to jobsite.  

Rather than waiting for talent to catch up, many hiring leaders are now investing earlier, making training a core part of their renewable energy recruitment strategy. 

Closing the Talent Gap with Expert Renewable Energy Recruiters 

The future of clean energy demands a smarter, faster and more informed approach to hiring. For nearly 20 years, Duffy Group has helped renewable energy clients fill their most challenging roles.  

Our pioneering Duffy Recruitment Research™ model is built on in-depth market intelligence, uncovering hidden candidates and strengthening your talent pipeline with every search. 

Connect with our renewable energy recruiters to secure the talent you need.