Johannesburg - Having a job in the renewable energy sector brings a number of perks, like being able to put "saved the world" on your CV.
The money and job security should also be agreeable, thanks to the massive skills shortage in the industry.
In South Africa, a boom in green-collar jobs is expected. Government forecasts that about 114 000 green jobs will be created in the next two years as part of its efforts to incentivise the environmental industry, which could grow in size to almost R70bn in the next three years.
As one of the top 10 contributors to global warning, South Africa has a particularly pressing need for renewable energy.
In addition, the Eskom saga has highlighted the urgency with which sustainable energy suppliers have to be established.
So, how can you get involved?
Project developers
Entrepreneurs with a bit of vision are putting plans together for sustainable energy projects. They look at potential sites for wind or solar plants, negotiate with the landowners (often farmers) and address legal aspects.
A large part of the job is securing finance. Experience in corporate finance and large-scale, capital-intensive projects will be to your advantage.
A number of development start-ups have been established, particularly in the wind sector which should see the biggest growth in the next five to eight years, said Davin Chown, director of Genesis Eco-Energy.
Genesis Eco-Energy has recently announced a joint venture with European group Mainstream Renewable Power to invest €850m in South African wind projects.
New entrants may also find opportunities in a completely new growth industry: concentrating solar power (CSP). CSP uses mirrors to focus sunlight onto receivers to generate steam that turns turbines and generators.
South Africa could be a world leader in this field, said Professor Wikus van Niekerk, director of the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch University.
Project planners
These people will direct the entire process of constructing a wind turbine, solar power or water desalination plant.
A background in engineering will be a prerequisite in many instances, said Chown.
Wind energy technicians
Many wind turbines will go into operation in the next couple of years, and there will be a huge demand for tradespeople who can service these plants.
At present, there is no training for maintenance technicians in South Africa. You will have to do a course in Germany, the UK, USA, Denmark or Australia.
It will be an exciting job, said Van Niekerk. As part of the training, you will for instance learn how to scale 26m long wind turbine blades.
Millwrights - as well as electricians, fitters and turners - may well consider this a viable option for a career change.
Solar water heater installers/manufacturers
Government wants one million heaters to be installed by 2014, and while initial rollout has been slow, there have been renewed efforts to achieve this.
Some plumbers have already started to acquire the skills to install the heaters, and there may also be opportunities in the manufacturing sector.
Local output has not been able to keep up with demand, and while some heaters are being imported from China, more will be needed from SA producers.
Engineers
Arguably, those with an engineering background will gain the most in the green revolution.
Engineers from all fields - including electrical, mechanical, civil and chemical - will be involved in the construction and maintenance of sustainable energy ventures.
Chown said engineers with a postgraduate qualification and a good understanding of the electricity grid will be best placed.
Environmental impact specialists
This is an increasingly important field, with a number of consultancies already active in the area. A Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree, specialising in the Earth and natural sciences, will make you an ideal candidate.
Scientists
There is an explosion of potential green focus areas for scientists, including the development of clean energy, nanotechnology and the science of desalination.
Agriculturalists
Climate change is threatening food security and new natural farming methods as well as biotechnology will become more important in coming years, said Chown.
Construction/architecture
Making buildings energy efficient will offer a number of new job opportunities, said Tracey Czakan, marketing director of employment services company the Kelly Group.
These include energy rating auditors, who perform a comprehensive analysis of a building's energy efficiency; permaculture specialists who analyse land use and community buildings to create a harmonious blend of buildings, microclimate, plants, animals, soils, and water; as well as urban arborists, landscapers with an understanding of conservation and renewable resources.
Other job titles that will be in demand in future may be green product designers - who develop products which use less energy and raw materials to produce and consume less energy and resources to use - and environmental managers, who coordinate management of an organisation's environmental performance.
In addition, Czakan said that most current professions will have green added to their existing job description. "It could well become a requirement for accountants to manage corporate carbon emission offsets and for IT technicians to manage data centres in the most efficient way possible," she said.
Tips to get a green job
- Get a rated qualification.
Chown says some of the best environmental qualifications on offer are from the University of Stellenbosch, University of Johannesburg and the University of Cape Town. Most of the degrees are postgraduate qualifications. The University of Pretoria's engineering degrees are also well regarded, he said.
- Do an internship. Offer your services to a big sustainable energy project developer, consulting engineers or a utility to get some experience. Consider working for six months to a year on a big international project.
- Get a job with Eskom. Understanding "old" energy and how the power grid works will be of great help. An added benefit is that Eskom pays "excessive" salaries, particularly for engineers, according to a local industry player.
- Network. Join professional organisations like the Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA) and the African Wind Energy Association, read their newsletters, go to conferences and get to know industry insiders.
- Recruitment agencies. Some agencies are starting to branch out in sustainable energy. Find out from recruiters which skills and qualifications will give you the edge.
- Fin24.com