If you want a clean run at a career in an emerging deep-tech field, why not take a look at some of the skills required by clean-tech professionals?
Clean technology jobs are best defined as roles that exist in the science, engineering, management, law, policy and business sectors where there is a focus on the topic of sustainability. This can cover energy, conservation, sanitation, transportation and more.
As the world continues to work towards a future that is less dependent on harmful practices and behaviours, jobs in the clean technology space are becoming coveted positions for those who want to make a positive impact.
So, if you have ambitious career aspirations and plan on a long and happy career in the clean-tech space, what skills do you need for some popular clean-tech sectors?
Transportation
For clean-tech professionals who want to work in an industry where they can do some good for the planet, while also improving social infrastructure, the transportation sector is an ideal career route. From hybrid and electric vehicles and alternative fuels, to land, sea and air carriers that emit less harmful materials, there is a world of opportunity open to curious career goers.
Important skills to prioritise include AI and machine learning capabilities, programming languages and analytics. Professionals should also have an understanding of robotics, sensor technology, electrical systems and renewable sources of energy, among others. If your particular area of expertise is in aviation, then an education in advanced aerodynamics is also crucial.
If you envision yourself more on the project management side of a clean-tech team working in transportation, then soft skills such as leadership, research, collaboration, delegation and negotiation, as well as an understanding of the sustainability life cycle assessment process can be useful.
Energy and smart cities
As with the transportation sector, smart cities and energy are two creative and critical spaces in which budding clean-tech experts can spread their wings and make a genuine impact. Focused on creating cities with clean air, less traffic, reliable transportation and utilities that are energy efficient, smart cities are a playground of sorts for innovative minds.
Useful abilities include large-scale project management, an understanding of urban planning, principles and methodologies, IoT skills, AI and data analytics. Professionals should also look into developing their digital twin skills, as more and more innovators and experts are using digital twins to create precise digital representations or copies of key infrastructure and systems.
A knowledge of grid systems and renewable energy tech is also critical, as almost everything defined as ‘smart’ within a smart city will have a power source. Furthermore, clean-tech professionals could also benefit from advanced cybersecurity skills, so they can identify, mitigate and manage threats to the interconnected systems that make up smart cities.
Don’t let those soft skills get rusty either, as clean-tech career goers in the smart city sector need to be able to collaborate with industry experts across multiple fields. Problem-solving is also key as issues are going to arise constantly and you need to be able to understand them enough to find a solution, even if that solution is escalating the problem to the right person or department.
Regulation and policy
It is always exciting to be at the forefront of a new venture, as you carve out your own professional path and take risks to develop something new. For clean-tech professionals, the regulatory space is an exciting place to be, as the policies and frameworks being developed right now have the potential to greatly impact domestic and global sustainability goals.
If you want to be part of the conversation around the governance of clean-tech you will have to study and learn not only the guidelines and standards of your own country, but that of neighbouring countries and those further afield, so you get the full picture and can engage cross-collaboratively.
You will need to understand grant systems, incentive programmes and planning documentation, to ensure you are getting the most out of a project and that it also meets legal, ethical and safety requirements. An entrepreneurial or mathematical skillset can come in handy here, as you may be expected to understand financial documentation, such as rules around tariffs, budgets and subsidies.
Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
