A unique jobs fair to be held this month in Abu Dhabi offers a chance for recruiters to highlight opportunities at their companies in the advanced energy and sustainability industry.  

The Green Career Fair, to be held in partnership with the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and Reed Exhibitions during the 7th World Future Energy Summit from January 20-22, aims to provide cost-effective and convenient ways to create social and professional networking opportunities, said a statement.

Besides meeting up with potential employers, professionals will be able to attend workshops on renewable energy career topics and make use of a career advice desk to get tips from HR professionals on site. The fair will also include features such as career opportunity booths and interview areas.

Dr Behjat Al Yousuf, dean of students, Masdar Institute, said: “Platforms such as the Green Career Fair offer emerging clean energy professionals the right channel for their professional development through engaging with industries in the field to discuss future trends in clean energy capacity building. Mandated to focus on human capital building and knowledge development, Masdar Institute contributes to nurturing a talent base that generates IPs and patents, most suitable to the industry. We hope WFES 2014 will serve as the right forum for leading clean energy corporate brands to identify and select the right professional skills to ensure industry growth.”

Investments in renewable energy are one of the key potential catalysts for job growth in the sector.  There is an expected growth in demand for architects, engineers, urban planners and environmental experts specialised in building sustainable cities and communities, smart power grids, wind farms, solar power plants, hydroelectric  plants, and energy efficient transportation systems, as governments adopt sustainability in their economic development plans.  

Building sustainable communities across the Mena region is of vital economic and strategic importance for future sustainability.  There is an increasing need for youth to develop careers in renewable energy sectors, said the statement.
    
The US Green Building Council stated recently that “green construction” employed more than 1 million people from 2000 to 2008. That number is expected to rise to 3.3 million by 2013 and job growth will multiply globally.

The UN report “Green Jobs: Towards Decent work in a Sustainable, Low-CarbonWorld” predicts that the deployment of new energy technologies and investments could see the green job sector employ 20 million additional people by 2030.

According to findings of the World Future Energy Summit Insight Report 2013, “Realising the Promise of Solar Industry Development in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena)”, if the region is going to build a solid industrial base in renewables, it is going to have to nurture entrepreneurs that will innovate and create jobs for the growing population of young people. - TradeArabia News Service