EN ERGY REA
Promoting the role of women within the workforce As mentioned above, the AD industry could create millions of jobs within the next 10 years, offering the perfect opportunity to create a diverse and dynamic workforce. However, more needs to be done to promote roles for women in the renewable energy sector and promoting diversity should be action-orientated. What is stopping women from applying? What solutions can be developed to overcome this? And how can these solutions be delivered in order to make an impact?
Encouraging a younger generation Stevie Leeks, marketing manager for Privilege Finance, a specialist funder in climate reduction and mitigation projects, says that most women currently working in renewables have come across their jobs by chance.
Stevie Leeks, of Privilege Finance , believes most women in renewables have come across their jobs by chance.
She emphasises the need for roles in renewables to be highlighted to a younger generation, and points to the absence of a specific qualification which makes this really difficult.
“Job descriptions need to be more encouraging
Stevie explains: “The sector is growing in response to the climate crisis; there is so much career potential in the sector, but it just isn’t widely recognised.
companies. It requires a complete mindset change
“Offering an AD or renewable energy focused qualification would definitely encourage young people into what is a very important sector, both now and in the future.”
Dr Skorupska also advises the need for strict policies
Changing public and self-perception
“Everyone needs to be aware of the
Dr Skorupska was one of the first female power
underrepresentation of women and the gender
station managers in the early 1990s, and explains that facilitating conversations with male employees was crucial for her success. “You have to establish a level of respect and the best way to do that is through creating conversations and changing those perceptions of women in the industry.”
for women. Women respond to roles where they can make an impact, so the wording of these job descriptions should be a key consideration of all from everyone on all levels,” she added.
Implementing policies in the sector. “We need policies which address gender discrimination and the barriers which women in the sector face.
imbalance in the industry to overcome this,” she explains. “And by
Offering an AD or renewable energy focused qualification would definitely encourage young people into what is a very important sector.
implementing policies,
– Stevie Leeks, Privilege Finance.
enough to have a brilliant
But she emphasises that it’s not just about educating your male peers but a whole industry-level change.
we can encourage new members into the sector and create a much
DR NINA SKORUPSKA Chief Executive, REA r-e-a.net
more open culture in renewable energy.” Both women agree that they were fortunate support network around them when venturing into the world of
renewables, but they appreciate that not everyone is so lucky and a lack of external support can vastly impact career choices.
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