Fueling the Energy Transition through Impact Careers
Summary
In 2024, Jobs_that_makesense (JTMS) committed to leverage their impact-focused job board and career training platform to specifically target and support careers in the energy transition. By tapping into this market which is estimated to create 14 million jobs by 2030, primarily in clean energy supply and associated sectors, JTMS will connect 1 million job seekers with recruiters in the energy transition in France and Southeast Asia, with a special focus on women and young adults. They will launch a campaign focused on the renewable energy sector, attracting both employers and potential employees to their holistic platform which provides localized information, organic peer-to-peer support, access to job opportunities, and mentoring. In doing so, JTMS will empower millions of individuals to thrive professionally and financially working in the renewable energy sector, facilitating more than 150,000 direct career placements, 80% of which will be green economy jobs, by the end of 2026.
Approach
Responding to the growing need around just and equitable energy transitions, Jobs_that_makesense (JTMS) developed a commitment centered on the pivotal energy sector. JTMS’s experience since the inception of makesense in 2010 and its platform Jobs_that_makesense in 2017 has revealed community connections between Europe and Southeast Asia. Therefore, JTMS committed to engaging 1 million young adult job seekers with recruiters in the energy transition in France, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore by the end of 2026, with a special focus on women and youth. This targeted outreach campaign will lead to 150,000 direct job placements. By guiding individuals towards meaningful careers in the green economy, JTMS will address a critical gap in the labor market precipitated by the energy transition while also actively contributing to a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous global community.
This work extends beyond mere job placement. By leveraging their comprehensive platform, Jobs_that_makesense, which houses localized information, organic peer-to-peer support, access to job opportunities, and mentoring, JTMS is dedicated to guiding a significant percentage of young adults aged 20–35 toward careers that are meaningful to them and to the world while also equipping them to succeed in those careers. With a platform that is more than just a job board, Jobs_that_makesense has all these resources, and is ready to serve as a launchpad and to adapt its holistic solution to empower individuals to thrive professionally and financially working in the renewable energy sector.
It will leverage its trusted and recognized brand that attracts 180,000 job-seekers every month in France alone, its network of 6,000 recruiting organizations, partner universities, and curriculums, and its community of 150,000 individuals who have benefited from the JTMS resources and tools and are eager to give back. Through this Commitment to Action JTMS and their network will support these young adults from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, empowering them with the information, support, and networking opportunities needed to pursue meaningful careers in the burgeoning green economy.
Action Plan
In Quarters 1 and 2 of Year 1, their primary objective is project building. JTMS will identify trends and map key players in the energy transition within their pilot countries, France and the Philippines. This will involve an initial three-month market analysis and ecosystem mapping to strategize key actions and partnerships. This phase will shape the campaign’s narrative, positioning, and value proposition for employers and candidates. In the second half of the semester, they will engage identified organizations to co-build and promote the campaign focused on careers in the energy transition.
In Quarter 3 of Year 1, JTMS will launch a pilot campaign targeting 10 percent of the intended million beneficiaries. This pilot aims to test the value proposition and identify effective strategies for scaling the campaign internationally. Over three months, the pilot will take place in France and the Philippines, divided into two phases. The first phase will concentrate on establishing a strong network of employers, while the second phase will focus on engaging a broad audience of candidates through digital marketing, influencer partnerships, press relations, events, and other communication initiatives.
Quarter 4 of Year 1 will involve assessing the pilot campaign. They will consolidate key tactics and best practices from both regions, redesign the campaign concept, and enhance collaboration with the coalition of players involved.
In Quarters 1 and 2 of Year 2, JTMS will roll out the campaign on an international scale. This six-month campaign will expand to at least three new countries in Southeast Asia and Europe, alongside France and the Philippines, with the goal of engaging 1 million young individuals with all the opportunities offered by the campaign.
In Quarters 3 and 4 of Year 2, they will focus on assessment and systems-building. The objective is to formalize a replicable system for developing similar campaigns in any country where JTMS operates.
Background
Recognizing the urgent need to align with the global shift towards a net-zero emission future, as outlined in the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050, it is necessary to support the burgeoning alternative energy sector. According to the IEA, the energy transition could create an estimated 14 million new jobs by 2030, primarily in clean energy supply and associated sectors. However, this transition also anticipates the displacement of 5 million positions in fossil fuel production, presenting both challenges and opportunities for workforce adaptation.
Around the world countries are working to adapt and steward this transition, and there are particularly compelling cross-continental partnerships developing. European Union and ASEAN countries, for example, are collaborating closely to develop Southeast Asia’s infrastructure to accommodate the region’s rapid growth and energy consumption. The development of the renewable energy sector in Europe also directly impacts Southeast Asia by attracting investors which provide interconnected opportunities for young professionals in both regions of the world.
The young professional workforce is uniquely positioned to accelerate the just energy transition as many young workers are seeking meaningful careers in the green economy; however, it is especially essential to ensure that the benefits of clean energy advancements are accessible to all, particularly those who have historically been marginalized in economic transitions
Progress Update
Partnership Opportunities
To implement the Commitment to Action, JTMS is seeking strategic and implementing partners who can help connect them with recruiters in the energy transition sector on the one hand, and reach more candidates on the other hand, including both students and individuals seeking career changes. They strongly believe that their platform addresses the critical need for organizing the job market in these emerging sectors.
Secondly, they will also be looking for media support (traditional media, social networks, influencers, etc.) to amplify their campaign’s visibility and impact. To reach their objective, they also need to change narratives and create passion for “green careers.”
Lastly, they require additional financial resources to further develop their platform and execute the campaign effectively., Through this Commitment to Action, JTMS will provide several kinds of services to partners.
First, they will provide media support to local, national, and international recruiters in the energy transition, by highlighting and promoting their job offers. In the context of a booming and new sector, it can be difficult for recruiters to find good candidates and attract them to those new positions. JTMS can help them to recruit effectively and maximize their efforts.
Secondly, JTMS aims to share best recruitment practices to recruiters, to help them shape their job offer in a relevant, attractive, and inclusive manner. This will involve the creation of a toolkit and a community of recruiters sharing ideas and practices.
Finally, JTMS also strongly supports candidates to enable them to identify and showcase their skills and capacities and connect with the right job offers with their “skill compass” and with their partners.