The rise of technologies and innovations in the energy sector has been observed for the past few decades. However, with the increased level of energy consumption, this rise is not enough as the development of professionals is needed. The matter is that the employees do not keep up with the times and changes which causes the lack of high-skilled and qualified workforce.

To fill the energy sector positions, the recruiters need to apply extra efforts. The candidates should possess a background in engineering, technologies, mathematics, and other sciences along with a strong personal motivation to work in this highly competitive industry. The demand for the professionals is growing, but the number of qualified experts remains the same.

The problem has already expanded throughout the world. The companies start to recruit candidates from developing countries, hence, these countries lose their own workforce. However, even attracting candidates from abroad is frequently not enough. It is explained by the fact that employees from different countries have different background and in most cases, it takes some time to teach the candidate the particularities of the region.

The tendency of enabling workforce

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Education and Training Classification System has presented the statistics on salaries in the mining sector. In 2016, an average annual salary for all occupations was $37,040, while the mining and geological engineers had an average salary of $93,720.

To start a career in the energy and mining sector, a candidate should have at least a bachelor’s degree. It means, that the next generation of industry workers should get a higher education, otherwise, the sector will meet an even bigger problem of the lack of candidates.

Accepting the fact that the college education is not enough for becoming a professional in the energy and mining sector, Madison Area Technical College launched a special educational program in 2010. Biofuels Academy became another initiative that started educational programs in many US colleges and universities. Renewable Energy Academies became popular worldwide, which assisted in attracting young professionals to the industry and creating process analysis essay topics for college students.

The programs are intended to draw the attention of the next generation to the problem of renewable energy sources. The results are impressive: more than 96% of participants confessed that their interest in the problem increased significantly. This gives us the premises to think that more school pupils and college students will start thinking about a career in mining.

How to improve workforce development

The measures to change the current situation should be taken immediately. Today, it’s a favorable environment to experiment with different audiences and educational materials, and the influence is not limited by the country borders.

1. Cooperation of industry leaders and training programs

The first and the most obvious thing is to involve industry leaders in the educational process. They know the real challenges and they can share real expertise which is important for studying. By partnering up with training programs, they can draw more attention to the energy sector and involve a bigger number of students in the industry.

2. Open trainee positions

Many students and low-skilled workers face a problem of finding a job. They don’t have enough experience and skills to take the position, but they are willing to become trainees. In the energy sector, they may gain enough knowledge at the opening positions and then grow professionally and personally, contributing to the development of the industry.

3. Growing awareness about trainee and educational programs

We do admit that energy-related education and trainee programs exist, but the society is not aware of them. Most of them are only partially filled. That does not mean that people are not interested in the programs. In most cases, people just do not know that such opportunities exist.

Today, it’s easy to tell about your intentions to educate people. A company can use traditional or social media to attract students and those who would like to know more about the energy industry.

4. Postsecondary education

Changing the job and even industry is quite a common situation today. However, to get into the energy and mining sector, you need to have a corresponding education. This leads to the need for postsecondary educational programs. In this way, people get a chance to change the industry they work in quickly.

Energy and mining is a forward-looking industry that promises career growth to everyone who joins it. However, it’s still important to spread the word about such opportunities, as many have no idea that this sector is open to new talents.