Skilled Careers

Energy transition has taken center stage in the Indian power sector, with a major focus on sustainability. To ensure sustainability, utilities are embracing new technologies, digital solutions, innovations, and more. Delivering and operating these solutions requires a significant amount of skilled manpower, which is currently lacking in the sector. I frequently meet industry experts, organizational heads, and CXOs of system integrators to discuss this issue. The common challenge I have identified is the availability of a skilled workforce capable of delivering such solutions. In my view, the government should appoint an agency as a nodal body to run skill development programs in the sector at the Diploma and ITI levels. Drawing inspiration from the UK's apprenticeship program, where Utilita Energy and Cheshire College South and West have launched a new-style smart metering apprenticeship, we can develop a similar initiative in India. In the UK program, apprentices receive classroom-based learning at the 11,000-student college and gain hands-on experience within the on-site ‘Sustainable House.’ This facility allows students to work in a real-life setting without being in a real home. Sponsored by Utilita, the Sustainable House is equipped with the latest sustainable technologies, such as ground source heat pumps and photovoltaic solar panels. The academy can upskill thousands of engineers from any organization each year to address the green skills gap. In India, we have very limited training centers for power sector apprenticeships, and they are often inadequately equipped with new technologies or digital interventions. We need to move quickly in this area, and every discom should take ownership of developing one or two advanced training centers to nurture a future-ready workforce.

While professionals compete intensely for positions in oversaturated markets, significant opportunities exist in industries experiencing critical talent shortages.   Three sectors currently offer exceptional employment prospects with minimal competition:   Skilled Trades: Far from outdated "blue collar" work, today's skilled trades represent "gold collar" opportunities.   Master electricians, specialized plumbers, and HVAC technicians command premium rates, often exceeding traditional white-collar salaries while enjoying strong job security and entrepreneurial potential.   Healthcare Support: The expanding healthcare sector requires extensive support infrastructure beyond physicians and nurses.   Medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, and healthcare coordinators offer stable career paths with advancement opportunities and meaningful work impact.   Cybersecurity & IT Support: Digital transformation has created urgent demand for cybersecurity specialists, help desk professionals, and network technicians.   These roles often provide excellent entry points into technology careers without requiring computer science degrees.   The strategic advantage lies in pursuing opportunities where market demand significantly outpaces candidate supply, rather than competing in oversaturated fields.   For professionals open to exploring alternative career paths, these industries offer immediate opportunities, competitive compensation, and long-term growth potential.   What other high-demand, low-competition industries have you observed in your market?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #skilledtrades #healthcare #cybersecurity #careerstrategist

In my conversations with leaders, the debate around AI often centers on how it will impact traditional desk-based work. But today, as we release Randstad's latest global labor market research, a very different reality is clear: AI cannot build its own data centers. 🏗️🔋 The digital revolution underway has a massive foundation in the physical economy. Our new analysis of over 50 million global job postings reveals a significant shift in the labor market as companies race to build the infrastructure that makes AI possible: 📈 Hiring for skilled trades is now growing 3x faster than for professional roles. 🤖 Demand for robotics technicians has surged by 107% since the rise of generative AI. ❄️ Vacancies for HVAC engineers are up 67%. The real constraint on global economic growth isn't only about a shortage of chips, energy, or capital. It is the severe scarcity of specialized talent in the skilled trades. Today’s trades are highly specialized, digital-first positions. You cannot be a modern electrician or robotics technician without strong digital fluency. To secure our digital future, we must fundamentally re-rate the skilled trades as a premier career track and recognize them as the new knowledge workers. I invite you to dive into our new data to see why this physical bottleneck is the defining workforce challenge—and opportunity—of the AI era: https://lnkd.in/ez86jjVg

Blue-collar labor is becoming the scarce resource of the 2020s America’s working-age population is barely growing—but the split is what matters: Non-college adults (20-64) are shrinking fast. Bachelor’s-degree holders are still rising 1–1½ % a year through at least 2035. Because college grads seldom choose transportation, production, construction, repair, food service, cleaning, or hands-on care, the talent pool for those roles keeps thinning. Yet demand hasn’t faded. The chart below shows blue-collar & manual-service employment climbing to record highs despite a pandemic dip. Result: the worst hiring gaps and the fastest wage gains are now in jobs that once struggled for respect, not in white-collar cubicles. Demographics say the squeeze will intensify all decade. What’s your plan? Source: BLS #labormarkets #recruitment #bluecollar #jobs

🌍 Why are so many companies struggling to make progress in their green transitions? One key reason I’ve long argued is the lack of human capital. Sustainability isn’t just about technology, policies, or financial commitments—it’s about people. Without a workforce equipped with the right skills, even the most ambitious climate goals risk becoming unattainable. The newly released Global Green Skills Report 2024 from LinkedIn paints a clear picture of the challenge ahead. Despite growing momentum in climate commitments, the supply of green talent is lagging far behind demand: 🌱 Demand for green skills grew 11.6% globally in 2023-2024, but supply only increased by 5.6%. 🚨 By 2050, half of all jobs in the green economy may lack qualified candidates unless we double the size of the green talent pool. 💼 Workers with green skills are already 54.6% more likely to get hired, showing the immense career opportunities in this space. The report also highlights demographic and industry trends: 👩🎓 Gen Z: A generation eager to tackle climate challenges, but only 1 in 20 have green skills today. 👩🔬 Women: Despite progress, the green gender gap persists, with women significantly underrepresented in green roles. 🏗️ Industries in focus: Utilities, construction, manufacturing, and tech are at the forefront of the transition, with soaring demand for skills like sustainable procurement, renewable energy management, and environmental policy. This data reinforces what many of us have felt for years: we cannot decarbonize the economy without upskilling and reskilling the global workforce. Closing the green skills gap is as much about delivering on climate promises as it is about creating pathways to new economic opportunities. 🟢 How do we move forward? It’s clear that governments, businesses, and educators need to come together to build the workforce of tomorrow. Initiatives like workforce training programs, green certifications, and cross-industry collaboration will be pivotal. Take a moment to explore the report—it’s packed with valuable insights for professionals across industries. What steps do you think can companies, governments, and individuals take to accelerate the green skills transition? #Sustainability #GreenEconomy #SkillsForTheFuture #Leadership

In my new piece for MarketWatch: Since the pandemic, the share of young workers in blue collar occupations has increased. In surveys, many said they were in the skilled trades for work-life balance, job security and job availability. They're not wrong — there has been a decline in job openings for knowledge worker roles on Indeed.com, and an increase in openings in blue-collar industries such as construction. Many Gen Z workers are discovering these opportunities through social media, where blue-collar influencers talk about the ability to build wealth in jobs that don't require a pricey college degree. This view, however, is incomplete. There is as much variation between blue-collar jobs as is there between blue-collar and white collar occupations. Some offer high pay and benefits and time off, and others don't. Some people start successful businesses, while others struggle to find steady work. For instance, average annual pay varies from $42,210 on average for woodworkers, to $67,810 for electricians, to $100,060 for elevator-repair workers. While many millennials felt misled to believe that everything would fall into place if they went to college (in many cases, by taking on loans), there are Gen Z workers who may similarly find the promise of opportunity in some of the blue-collar trades to not be everything they had expected.

A few weeks back, the CEO of Ford Motor Company shared that they have over 5,000 automotive technician jobs they cannot fill. Not because the jobs aren’t there. Because there aren’t enough people. And once you notice it, you see it everywhere. Yesterday, I was talking to a friend whose husband manages a fleet of snow plows. They currently have 18 trucks sitting idle. Not because it’s not snowing. Because they don’t have enough maintenance mechanics to fix them. My longtime plumber recently retired and closed his business. Completely. Why? His last plumber, a guy who’d been with him for 20 years, retired. He hasn’t had a single applicant in over five years. He couldn’t do all the work himself. So he shut the doors. Hospital beds sit empty. Not because there aren’t patients. Because there aren’t enough nurses, technicians, CNA's and maintenance people. Construction companies can’t find carpenters. A friend of mine owns a kitchen renovation business and pays his crew DOUBLE the industry average. Not because he wants to. Because he’s afraid of losing the people he already has. This isn’t a “people don’t want to work” issue. It’s a skills problem. A trade problem. A pipeline problem. We pushed an entire generation toward four-year degrees and quietly moved trades to the sidelines. Now we’re feeling it. The work is there. The demand is there. The pay is climbing. But the people aren’t. So I’m genuinely curious… If you’re having a hard time finding a job right now, would you consider learning a skilled or blue-collar trade? And if you have a kid getting ready for college, are you steering them toward a four-year degree… or actually talking about trades as a real option? Not as a fallback. Not as a plan B. As a smart, long-term path. Share your thoughts and if you've ever been personally impacted by this trend. #ResumeWriting #BlueCollarJobs #ShortagesEverywhere

We’re short on people. And we’re running out of time. After more than 50 years in construction, I’ve seen my fair share of ups and downs - but the numbers I’m seeing now are the toughest I can remember. As we move through '25, our industry is facing challenges I wouldn’t have believed possible a decade ago: - The workforce has dropped by over 10% since the pandemic. We’re now at the lowest worker-to-population ratio I’ve ever seen - just 29 construction workers for every 1,000 people. - We need over 250k new workers by 2028, and 50k fresh faces every year just to keep up. - Skilled trades are in crisis: we’re short by at least 225k hands to meet the country’s housing and infrastructure needs. - Material costs? Still all over the place - up 15–20% on average since the pandemic. - And 16% of construction businesses are reporting critical worker shortages -the second-highest in the UK. Here’s something you won’t see in the headlines: A lot of the old knowledge is walking out the door, and not enough is coming in behind it. It’s not that young people aren’t up to the job - far from it. The problem is, we haven’t made construction appealing enough, and we haven’t always taken the time to pass on what we know. Skilled trades aren’t something you pick up in a couple of weeks. They take years, decades, even, to really master. These stats spell out what many of us have been feeling on site for years: More pressure on everyone. Bigger gaps in the workforce. Not enough boots on the ground, or hands on the tools, to do the job the way we know it should be done. Construction’s never been easy. But unless we get serious - about training, mentoring, and making this a career worth sticking with, the problems won’t sort themselves out. Just my take, after half a century watching the cycle repeat. #construction #ukconstruction #skillscrisis #labourshortage #thecommercialmind

India’s renewable energy dreams are at risk  And the reason isn’t technology - it’s the lack of skilled manpower.  We are facing an unexpected crisis in fulfilling the desired energy capacity.   The government aims to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, but there’s a massive shortage of 1.2 million skilled workers in the renewable energy sector.  The worst part?   This gap is projected to widen to 1.7 million by 2027.  This problem could shatter our dream of becoming a global leader in green manufacturing.   Right now, the world is looking to India to lead the fight against climate change.  At such a critical time, this crisis could mean missing our chance to stand at the forefront of the global green economy.  But is there no solution, Kuldip?   You must be wondering.  Well, there are solutions. Let me share a few:  1. Start Skill Training Programs   - Set up training centres focused on solar, wind, and other renewable energy skills.     - Collaborate with companies to provide training that meets industry demands.  2. Expand to Smaller Cities and Villages   - Open training centers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where there’s untapped talent.     - Offer financial support, like stipends or scholarships, to make programs accessible.  3. Partner with Companies   - Encourage renewable energy companies to provide internships and hands-on training.     - Leverage CSR funds for large-scale skill-building initiatives.  4. Leverage Online Platforms   - Provide affordable or free online courses focused on renewable energy skills.     - Ensure these courses offer certifications recognised by employers.   It’s not just about filling vacant positions but about hiring the right talent  So India can truly lead the global green manufacturing revolution.  What are your thoughts on addressing this talent shortage in the renewable energy sector? #renewableenergy #thoughts

Bridging the Green Skills Gap in the Global Energy Transition... The world’s shift to clean energy has created an urgent need for green skills. Demand for roles like wind turbine technicians, solar installers, and energy analysts is soaring, yet only one in eight people currently possess climate-relevant skills (LinkedIn Green Skills Report 23). A study of 18,400 universities reveals that 68% of energy degrees still focus on fossil fuel, with a full shift to renewable-focused programs projected. Wherever I speak on global and national platforms, I emphasize embedding green skills from schooling onward. Education and skills development must go hand-in-hand, especially within India’s ITIs, polytechnics, and vocational institutes. Setting up Green Skills Hubs and specialized Renewable Energy and Decarbonization Universities, alongside institutions focusing on AI and Emerging Technologies, will be critical to preparing youth for emerging opportunities in clean energy and driving our green economy vision forward. key Actions to bridge green skills gap: 1. Increase Investment: Prioritize funding for green energy programs in universities and vocational institutes. Public and private funding that currently goes to fossil fuel education should be redirected to renewable energy education. 2. Create new degree programs Universities, especially in developing countries, should create new green energy faculties and degree programs. 3. Accelerate accreditation Ministries of education should work with universities to fast-track the accreditation of educational degrees in renewable energy. 4.Integrate sustainability courses Environment and sustainability-related courses should be integrated into vocational training curricula. 5.Support international initiatives International education initiatives, such as the World Economic Forum's Reskilling Revolution, can help drive the quality production of human capital for clean energy industries. Now is the time for global collaboration to build the skills essential for a sustainable future & a thriving green economy. #GreenSkills #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #VocationalEducation #ITI #ClimateAction #CleanEnergy #EducationReform #GlobalSkills #WorkforceDevelopment World Hydrogen Leaders World Economic Forum International Baccalaureate Solar Energy International (SEI) International Solar Alliance International Energy Agency (IEA) S&P Global ASU+GSV Summit GSV Ventures Deborah Quazzo United Nations UNICEF Unnati Singh #universities Indian School of Business Indian Institute of Technology, Madras Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay Illinois Institute of Technology European University Institute EU Business School European Commission Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) USAID Gates Foundation India Adani Foundation Adani Group Relience Indo-Pacific Space and Earth Conference and Exhibition The University of Western Australia Victoria University IETA #greenhydrogen Gensol Group