one of The main stories that defined the tech sector in 2023 were layoffs. Businesses large and small shed more than 240,000 jobs last year, and while the trend has eased recently, it hasn’t stopped, with nearly 7,000 jobs cut in November alone.
But there were bright spots. Climate technology is one sector that has been hiring, and it looks like 2024 will continue this trend.
Clean energy jobs have risen 10% in the past two years, outpacing the economy as a whole, according to a report from an industry group. E2. Until 2032, when the inflation cap ends, the fastest-growing job fields include wind turbine technician (45% growth) and solar PV installer (22% growth), according to Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For startups, 2023 has been even more chaotic. As investors closed their portfolios, founders had to make tough choices about how to expand their runways. Some had to resort to layoffs, but not all. Many founders I speak with continue to stress that they hire for a variety of roles.
For those laid off from the general technology sector, climate technology may seem like an attractive focus, and for many, this has proven to be true. Almost every company needs software developers, project managers, and designers. Are 240,000 of them needed? Maybe not yet. Some that seem similar may require little climate or energy knowledge on the part of the applicant.
In other words, there is a skills gap.