Increased growth in green sector jobs forecast

EMPLOYMENT IN green sectors is on the rise despite an overall slowdown in the jobs industry, according to recruitment agencies. Jobs in green areas such as renewable energy will continue to increase over the next year, following rapid growth since the summer of 2008, according to Gary Barcoe, divisional manager at Stelfox recruitment.

“The creation of more and more companies in the green sector, such as wind farms and waste-water specialists has led to a strong demand for energy consultants, electric engineers. Already we are seeing a shortage of people for these jobs,” he said.

Mr Barcoe said the demand for workers in the green sector has led to the company recruiting from abroad.

“We are sourcing people from Ireland and across Europe, and even relocating people from the UK.”

An increase in the number of people opting for solar power and geothermal heating in their homes has also led to the creation of an increased number of green jobs, according to Andrew Molony, commercial director of recruitment website greenjobs.ie.

He said the green sector is comparable to the IT sector 10 years ago, but believes “green jobs” will last longer due to their stability.

(c) The Irish Times