Human resources ready for energy transition

Green human resource for energy transition

According to the National Power Development Plan VIII, by 2045, renewable energy will have made up over 75 percent of the whole country’s power use. Current studies also show that, in the fields of wind and solar energy, about 25 percent of jobs created are for high-skilled workers. Therefore, in the time to come, training capacity needs to be improved to adapt to this trend and meet the domestic demand.

Dispatchers of Da Nang Power Company are monitoring the operation of the Distribution Automation System (DAS) - photo: VNEEP

Recently, with the rapid development of the renewable energy, Vietnam has shown a shortage of skilled and highly qualified labor in different stages like transportation, installation, operation, inspection, monitoring and maintenance. This will be even more difficult as the Government will approve the National Power Development Plan VIII and energy conversion at coal-fired power plants.

Dinh The Phuc – a member of the EVN’s Board of Directors – shared that the strong development of onshore and offshore wind power projects, and conversion of fuel and technology at coal-fired power plants will need large skilled human resources. In addition, many jobs will also be created in indirect areas like equipment manufacturing, transportation, consultation, and monitoring.

“The operation of the power grid is also very important to ensure safety for the system; therefore, engineers working at power transmission companies also need to be trained to improve their skills,” Phuc said.

Sufficient skilled human resources needed

Dr. Nguyen Chi Truong from the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs said the solution “Developing human resources, especially high-quality human resources” was identified as one of the three strategic breakthroughs in order to realize the country’s development goals.

Therefore, Vietnam must ensure necessary and basic skills for workers, for each profession, especially in the field of energy transition.

“Those basic skills must quick adapt to the transition process of the economy, and meet the requirements for health, safety and digital transformation,” Truong said.

Dr. Guido Hildner – German Ambassador – said that in occupations requiring green skills, Germany has supported Vietnam in employment transition by training Vietnamese workers in the fields of electricity, electronics and roof-top solar power installation. Each year, tens of thousands of students are trained in 11 vocational training facilities, 79 percent of whom have been employed. “With high labor demand, Vietnam will need long-term decisions from the State, along with the promotion of creativity and innovation in the public and private sectors, and the mobilization of public and private investment, especially in modernizing the power grid as well as increasing renewable energy electricity production,” – said the ambassador.

To ensure an effective energy transition, a shift to green jobs, and seeking fair employment opportunities in the labor market related to renewable energy and new energy requires a full strategic plan for training and a shift of high-quality human resources in the field; ensuring to exploit and promote the strengths of existing human resources, while also applying advancements of science and technology, and new labor skills related to energy transition.