Job seekers looking for exciting career options need to know how to capitalize on the growing demand for green jobs.
The uncertainty of the future extends to the job market. With rapidly advancing tech and the looming threat of climate change, the supply chain that affects us all will likely look much different by 2030. A “green jobs boom” is coming to all parts of Canada, creating clean economy opportunities in a variety of different sectors. Job seekers and those looking to start their career need to learn how to capitalize on this growing trend and secure your future in the green job market.
Understanding Canada’s Green Job Market
Global issues from climate change have called for significant shifts in production, most saliently in the tech, energy, environmental consulting, and agricultural industries. The environmental job market isn’t well understood because of its novelty. However, it’s important to have a clear picture of what careers are cropping up to further this green shift.
Currently, around 65,000 jobs in environmental services like water treatment, air quality analysis, and soil decontamination are filled or looking to be filled in the Québec area. While these are relatively traditional service areas, they use techniques that may not be widely known yet. Industries like mining, specifically, will need workers with unique, advanced skill sets to fill specialized roles.
Canada’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include 17 different target areas of improvement, including affordable and clean energy, decent work, economic growth, and climate action. This commitment is driving Canadian initiatives and policies that are propelling the country’s shift to a greener economy. This includes government actions like the Sustainable Jobs Plan that outline measures like funding and skills development needed to enhance sustainable jobs across Canada.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for a career change or a less-experienced job seeker, it’s important to look into these job market changes to guide your career moves. By aligning your skills and passions with eco-friendly industries, you can contribute to a healthier planet while also tapping into promising opportunities for your future.
Why Going Green Is a Strategic Career Move
Although the green job market is in its infancy, it will grow more popular as the demand rises and thousands of jobs are created by Canada’s SDGs and companies’ increased commitments to sustainability. These positions will likely replace existing jobs, so the competition will likely become fierce. Choosing to learn skills that align with green industries now is a strategic move for future-proofing your education. Try to look for forward-thinking tech courses to develop your computer and analytical skills — but you can certainly sprinkle in soft skills. This will set you apart by showing your adaptability and willingness to learn new skills in any position that may arise. Essentially, you’re attempting to make yourself more marketable to employers in the future.
Start building a network of like-minded professionals who are either in the green industry or plan to make the transition. You can use their insight and your research of industry trends to determine what skills you should hone in on perfecting. While you can’t predict the future, per se, you can still see what it’s leaning toward. It’s wise to look at HR trends to see what’s important to employers going forward. In 2024, HR trends include transparency in environmental and social governance and integrating AI into job roles.
Eco-Friendly Job Skills in High Demand
The best way to get a sense of what jobs to prepare for is by checking out current demand and future predictions. The most-wanted skills in 2024 include a mix of soft and hard skills, such as analytical thinking, resilience, tech literacy, and knowledge of renewable energy. This can range from solar panel installation to managing wind-powered energy. Some job titles to consider pursuing include:
- Environmental specialist;
- Civil engineer;
- Environmental health and safety specialist;
- Forest conservationist;
- Solar installer;
- Solar consultant;
- Arborist;
- Environmental manager;
- Environmental technician.
Try to align your current skill set and interests with an environment-focused career. For example, you could have a degree in architecture or even some experience in architectural design. By honing in on eco-friendly architecture, you can make yourself more marketable to employers. Your designs can then be more relevant to the building and infrastructure needs of tomorrow, which include energy-efficient buildings that comply with environmental regulations. Learning about how to build a greener infrastructure can give you an edge over the competition when the focus in hiring is finding someone with the skills to make eco-friendly design happen.
Moving Forward Through a Greener Lens
As you look to the future, the job market will still be fairly unpredictable. However, you can predict with a good amount of certainty that eco-friendly twists on current sectors will occur along with entirely new sectors emerging. Keeping an eye on trends in renewable energy, green tech, and environmental responsibility will give you insight into what jobs will likely be created. By aligning your career with sustainability, you will know how to capitalize on the growing demand for green jobs and you’ll be able to thrive in an evolving world.