Quynh Cottrell, a Vietnamese immigrant, struggled to find meaningful work in Australia despite having a bachelor’s degree in social services. She eventually landed a job at a mental health organization after gaining additional skills through a community services course. However, her story is not unique, and many immigrants, as well as people from disadvantaged backgrounds, face challenges in finding employment that aligns with their skills and values.
As Australia transitions to renewable energy, The Next Economy’s Jacqui Bell believes that immigrants like Cottrell could benefit from the growing number of job opportunities in the clean energy sector. Bell’s organization is working to build climate-safe and socially just economies, recognizing that qualification recognition systems can limit the engagement of skilled workers from other countries.
Australia has set a goal to reach 82% renewable energy generation by 2030 and become net zero by 2050, requiring a massive workforce expansion in the clean energy sector. The country needs to recruit an additional 200,000 workers between now and 2030, but traditional recruitment processes may not be enough to fill this gap.
To address this, The Next Economy’s report suggests that private and public industry should rethink their recruitment processes to prioritize diversity and inclusion. This could include partnering with organizations that work with marginalized groups, such as immigrants, people with disabilities, and those from the LGBTQIA+ community.
Research shows that diversity and inclusion in the workplace can boost innovation, productivity, and project success. However, it also requires businesses to be willing to adapt and change their approach to recruitment, which can be challenging. Karina Davis, CEO of Jobsbank, a not-for-profit organization, encourages businesses to go beyond traditional recruitment methods and engage with diverse communities to access a broader pool of skilled workers.
By prioritizing diversity and inclusion, the clean energy sector can not only address the workforce shortage but also create a more innovative and effective workforce. As Quynh Cottrell now says, “I feel like a different person… I am more active and creative, and I am using my energy to be useful.”