How to Attract New Generations to the Energy Sector: Discover key strategies to attract young talent to the energy industry and boost their participation in STEM and renewable careers.
How to Attract New Generations to the Energy Sector
The energy transition is not only about clean technologies and sustainable financing, but also about generational renewal to ensure a workforce ready for the challenges ahead. As renewable energy surges across Latin America, attracting new generations to the energy sector has become more urgent than ever.
However, connecting with young professionals is not always easy. The industry is still perceived by many as rigid, traditional, or low-profile. How can we change this perception? What actions can companies, universities, and governments take to engage the so-called “green generation”?
The Challenge: Getting Young Talent into Energy
Despite the renewable boom, youth participation in energy-related careers remains low, especially among women and underrepresented groups. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), only 32% of jobs in the sector are held by people under 30.
This gap isn’t due to lack of interest—it stems from the disconnect between education systems and labor markets. Many young people are unaware of the wide range of opportunities in the energy industry: from smart grid software development and solar engineering to electric mobility or energy efficiency data analysis.
Best Practices to Integrate Young Talent
- Promote awareness early on
Career orientation programs with a focus on clean energy—like solar plant tours, science fairs, or STEM workshops—can ignite early interest. - Offer inclusive internships and scholarships
Design entry-level programs with hands-on support. These create strong pipelines and lower entry barriers for young professionals. - Showcase success stories
Highlighting young professionals already working in the sector can inspire others. Use video testimonials, social media, and blogs to amplify their voices. - Create real participation spaces
Give younger employees room to contribute ideas and weigh in on company strategies, sustainability plans, or workplace improvements. - Promote generational diversity
Intergenerational learning boosts innovation. Reverse mentorship programs can bridge experience and fresh perspectives.
Companies Must Go Beyond Hiring
Integrating new generations means more than just recruiting young candidates. It requires building a work culture aligned with their values: purpose, flexibility, continuous learning, and sustainability.
Energy companies must clearly communicate their environmental impact, act with consistency, and provide clear paths for professional growth. Recruitment strategies should include social media, university partnerships, innovation hubs, and employer branding tailored to Gen Z and millennials.
The Energy Future Needs New Voices
The energy revolution will also be a talent revolution. Countries that successfully integrate new generations into the energy workforce will be better positioned to lead the green transition. Investing in youth employability today means securing sustainability for tomorrow.
If you are looking for the sources on which we base all the information, you can access from here.
