In the dynamic landscape of today’s business environment together with the great strides being taken across the world in sustainable energy development, the call for a workforce responsible for our future has never been louder.
Finding the right people to join the sustainable energy transition in a small island like Guernsey can be challenging, but also ripe with opportunities for personal and professional growth. And as businesses across Guernsey journey towards a more sustainable future, the spotlight is firmly on the energy sector.
Guernsey Electricity, as one of the largest employers, experiences the dual challenge of contemporary recruitment dynamics all hiring managers are familiar with, and a unique responsibility to power a modern community. Acknowledging that our people are the force behind real-life, we know we must find the right professionals to join us.
Engineering
One of the specific hurdles we can find ourselves grappling with is a skills shortage for specialised roles such as engineers and technicians. Demand for energy professionals will continue to increase, but locally supply is struggling to keep up.
Our engineering and mechanical teams can enjoy the short commutes Guernsey offers, never far from a beach or loved ones, and can balance everyday demands on their skills and talents with flexible working and holiday purchasing. As we venture further into the potential the energy transition presents, we need more people passionate about engineering and a sustainable future to join us.
Office
However, recruiting for the energy future isn’t confined to one discipline. As an employer of nearly 250 people, we span across many business areas including finance, project management, business development and corporate services. In Guernsey, these career opportunities are often an unknown entity, hidden in the shadow of the power station chimneys and electricity bills. As an SME, we compete in a very busy recruitment environment, very often against global corporations able to offer similar office roles. The difference we sometimes hear is that where people can feel like a small cog in a big corporate wheel, our office employees are right here, helping make big change happen and keep real island life moving.
Trade
Another challenge for us is recruiting for our specialist team of tradespeople including electricians, plumbers, and meter readers.
Outside of a recession, demand for electrical and plumbing skills is usually booming, with many skilled tradespeople able to easily find work in smaller firms. But we know the world can change rapidly, and something we’re able to offer many employees is job security.
For as long as our island needs electricity, we’ll always need skilled tradespeople such as electrical inspectors and emergency electricians. We can offer the job security tradespeople need for their family and personal development while we ride through the changes our modern world constantly presents.
Flexible working
The flexible working question has also crossed our boardroom table following the changes COVID19 founded.
Many employers are asking – “Does flexible working actually work, and is business better for it?” We believe it does work. Offering potential to fit work around family and personal commitments is an important part of incorporating the energy transition into our employee’s lives, with some of our flexible working options including ‘Nine Day Fortnights’ and ‘Work from Home’ days.
In the face of scepticism around what impact a small place like Guernsey can have, we say the potential to make change is huge, and starts with something that powers almost everything we do in life.
From the comfort of our island home, our team of dedicated professionals are playing a part in the transition to cleaner energy and helping make aims a reality.
Find out more about a career in the sustainable energy transition at www.electricity.gg/careers
