SINGAPORE – Money is flowing into “green” sectors across the region, creating thousands of new jobs.
New report says there could be up to 30 million sustainability-related jobs in Southeast Asia by 2030, with the region’s green economy expected to generate up to $1 trillion (S$1.36 trillion) in annual economic opportunities.
The report from non-profit organization Bridgespan studied labor markets in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and identified five sectors as critical to the transition to a green economy . The five sectors are solar energy, electric mobility, built environment, sustainable agriculture and waste management.
The employment trend has attracted the attention of the business sector. OCBC and Fidelity International, for example, have created sustainability director positions in recent months.
Interest has increased in public relations and communications roles as companies’ focus on sustainability and environmental impact, social issues and corporate governance (ESG) has also increased the need to get such messages across, said Ms Joan Liew, a senior consultant at a recruitment firm. Prospect resourcing.
The challenge is finding the right person for the job, given the nascent nature of the ESG sector here.
Hiring managers must strike a delicate balance between the candidate’s genuine interest in the role, their previous relevant experience, and their technical skills. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Dr Jeremy Fox, regional managing director of Generation, a global not-for-profit organization that trains people in the green jobs sector, said: “Technical skills are important, but motivation and a strong mindset growth are really what determines employability and success at work. »
This is echoed by Dr Bo Bai, executive chairman and co-founder of Singapore-based fintech MVGX, which uses big data and blockchain technology to track carbon credits.
Dr Bai said a candidate’s authenticity and passion for sustainability are more important than prior experience, but he acknowledged that this depends “heavily” on the scope of the role.
Since green skills encompass a wide range of specializations, from consulting to technical expertise, “candidates must have complex background knowledge and understanding of the sector in order to provide reliable and reliable advice,” added Dr. Bay.
“From scientific understanding of the impact of climate change to crisis management and risk preparedness, green skills encompass a wide range of disciplines, both technical and soft.
“The reality is that the skills required to excel are quite specialized and the best way to learn is through practice,” he said.
