A shortage of workers with the right skills risks undermining the installation of greener power sources.
Interesting article from Lara Williams (Bloomberg) today.
“While Britain’s need for engineers, welders and electricians is well documented, less has been said about the rising demand for expertise in geology and geophysics.”
“As we try to wean ourselves off fossil fuels, knowledge of what’s under our feet becomes increasingly important. Take the construction of an offshore windfarm; Mark Vardy, director of SAND Geophysics, a British firm specializing in seabed and near-surface detection geophysics, likens it to installing 200 high-rise buildings in the middle of the sea. To erect those structures, you need to know what’s going on as deep as 100 meters (328 feet) beneath the sea bed — requiring knowledge of geology, geophysics and engineering. Similar skills are needed to mine for critical minerals, survey potential carbon-storage sites and lay power lines.”
“Vardy told me that he and colleagues at other companies are unable to fill open positions. They’ve had applicants, but few who could step into the roles without significant training. That may be partly because the skills required are evolving. Candidates need to be competent in machine learning and handling large datasets, as well has having a grasp of the science; neither education nor previous experience appear to be preparing people for these jobs.”
“The shortage is now starting to delay projects, just as construction needs to accelerate in order to hit ambitious clean energy targets.”
“There are some optimistic developments. Imperial College London is welcoming students to a new MSc in Renewable Energy with Artificial Intelligence and Data Science: Geology and Geophysics this week. The course title is a bit of a mouthful — Imperial refers to it as the READY MSc — but it’s been designed with input from industry leaders to equip students with the skills needed to drop straight into roles.”
“Earth-science subjects could do with better funding, while awareness of the job opportunities available and the educational routes required to qualify for such roles need to improve so students feel inspired and empowered to make those career choices.
We often encourage our kids to reach for the sky. But perhaps we ought to be telling them to dig deep underground instead.”
Bloomberg Article: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-09-23/climate-crisis-data-geologists-are-key-to-making-the-energy-transition-work?srnd=prognosis
