Working life is changing at a faster pace than ever before, and as a result employees need new skills, says Tom Lindholm, Managing Director of Aalto University Executive Education and Professional Development (Aalto EE).
This was a central focus of Aalto EE’s event “Making Energy Transition a Reality – Closing the Competence gap”, which Lindholm opened in December 2023.
Drawing on insights from the World Economic Forum and a report by the Technology Industries of Finland, Lindholm says workforces need to gain broader competencies and learn new skills instead of simply updating existing ones.
Throughout the event, many speakers highlighted the importance of long-term and systemic thinking – the ability to see the big picture and build collaborations to solve complex problems.
Guest speaker Tuukka Hartikka, Head of BU (Hydrogen and Power to X) from Helen Ltd spoke about the energy transition from an energy company’s point of view.
He says that the rapid development of AI and technologies are major factors driving the need to re- and upskill employees, in addition to the climate crisis.
During the panel discussion, Ulla Heinonen – Director, Green Growth at the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK – emphasised the importance of taking care of young people’s skills in basic education and having all children and adolescents on board.
Ismo Laukkanen, Head of Learning and Development at ABB, advocated thinking about what support and funding can be provided for re- and upskilling nationally.
Other panellists were Annareetta Lumme-Timonen, Investment Director at Solidium, and Johanna Fräki, Head of Open Innovation and Innovation Marketing at Neste.
The panel was moderated by Ulla-Maija Uusitalo, Sales and Account Director at Aalto EE.
Employees need new skills: Astute’s view
Tim Norford, Head of Renewables at Astute People, added, “I couldn’t agree more with the insights shared at Aalto’s EE event.
“The energy transition towards renewables demands a workforce equipped with the right skills and competencies, and it’s encouraging to see discussions like those facilitated by Aalto shedding light on this crucial aspect.
“In our efforts to bridge the competence gap, it’s essential to recognise the value of transferrable skills from more ‘traditional’ energy sectors.
“As we navigate this transition, professionals with backgrounds in oil, gas, or other conventional energy fields possess valuable transferrable skills that can be effectively utilised in renewable energy projects.
“Whether it’s project management, engineering know-how, or strategic planning, these transferrable skills are adaptable and applicable to the evolving landscape of sustainable energy.
“Moreover, the emphasis on long-term and systemic thinking resonates deeply with our approach at Astute People.
“Building collaborations and fostering a holistic understanding of the energy ecosystem are key to addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change and advancing renewable solutions.
“The insights shared by industry experts like Tuukka Hartikka and Ulla Heinonen underscore the urgency of investing in re- and upskilling initiatives.
“Rapid technological advancements, coupled with the imperative to mitigate the climate crisis, necessitate continuous learning and adaptation within the workforce.
“I echo the sentiments expressed by Ismo Laukkanen regarding national support and funding for re- and upskilling efforts.
“Collaboration between industry, academia, and government entities is essential to facilitate this transition effectively.
“Overall, initiatives like the one organised by Aalto serve as valuable platforms for fostering dialogue and collaboration towards realising the energy transition.
“At Astute, we are committed to leveraging the diverse talents and skills of professionals from various backgrounds to drive the renewable energy sector forward.”
About Tim
Tim completed a NVQ Level 3 in Recruitment to further his knowledge about the sector and his profession, which he puts into practice daily as Head of Renewable recruitment at Astute.
If you enjoyed Tim’s thoughts on transferrable skills and whether employees need new skills, connect with him on LinkedIn.
