Expert: 6 solutions to address the energy industry’s talent shortage

Guest Column

Here are six ideas for growing the energy industry workforce. Photo via Getty Images

Across the energy sector, companies are facing the growing challenge of finding skilled workers. In fact, 71% of energy employers say they are struggling to fill open roles. What is causing the shortage? A mix of factors, including an aging workforce, outdated perceptions of the industry and a rising global demand for energy.

This talent gap threatens progress on big goals like transitioning to cleaner energy, upgrading infrastructure and driving innovation in renewables. Solving the problem isn’t simple, but it is possible. It is going to take a coordinated, long-term approach that includes education, recruitment, training, retention and supportive policies. Let’s explore some practical solutions.

1. Build a strong foundation through STEM and career pathway awareness

Solving the workforce shortage starts well before college or the first job offer. We need to reach students early, with STEM education, career exposure and clear pathways to energy careers. Elementary, middle and high school programs that connect science and math with real-world energy applications can spark curiosity and show students the range of opportunities available in the energy industry.

Organizations like the Energy Education Foundation are helping by partnering with educators and employers to align curriculum with real industry needs and bring energy topics to life in the classroom. We also need to ensure students understand the full range of energy systems, from traditional oil and gas to renewables like wind and solar, as well as nuclear, hydrogen and other emerging technologies. A broad, well-rounded understanding of the entire energy value chain will better prepare them for the future of work in this dynamic industry.

As technologies evolve, so must the systems that prepare people to work with them. Energy companies can collaborate with universities, trade schools and community colleges to design programs that match today’s job requirements through hands-on apprenticeships, industry-recognized certifications and digital skills training.

Affordability can also be a barrier for many students who are interested in energy careers but face financial obstacles to higher education. While four-year degrees are important for some roles, they are not the only path into the industry. Trade schools, community colleges and certificate programs offer fast, affordable routes into high-demand jobs, often with strong earning potential right out of the gate. The industry can do more to elevate these options by promoting offshore, field and technical roles as innovative, high-impact careers.

2. Help today’s workforce learn new skills

As more energy companies adopt digital tools like automation, artificial intelligence and data analytics, there is a growing need for employees with the tech skills to match. But right now, there is a shortage of those skills across the board. That is why upskilling and reskilling current employees is so important. Companies can create internal training platforms, offer recognized certifications and explore immersive tools like virtual reality to simulate real-world scenarios. Cross-training employees to understand both traditional and renewable energy systems can also help build more flexible, future-ready teams.

3. Open the doors to broaden and diversify talent

The energy industry, being a global enterprise, has much to gain from embracing diversity across various dimensions, including cultural backgrounds, languages, work styles and time zone considerations. Research shows that culturally diverse companies are 33% more likely to out-innovate their competitors. These organizations are better equipped to generate a wide range of ideas and transform them into valuable products or services. The most successful firms offer equitable advancement opportunities, paid time off, family leave, mentoring and sponsorship programs and environments grounded in respect and fairness. These practices make a big difference not just in attracting talent, but in keeping it.

4. Use technology to support, not replace, people

From exploring new energy sources to managing the grid and storing power, technology is transforming the industry. But instead of replacing jobs, tools like AI and automation can be used to make work safer, smarter and more efficient. For instance, smart grid systems and AI-powered planning tools can cut downtime and boost productivity, freeing up skilled employees to focus on more strategic and creative tasks. When used thoughtfully, technology becomes an ally that helps teams do their best work.

5. Strengthen retention through purpose

While offering competitive salaries is important, it’s only one part of the equation. Many energy companies face challenges in areas such as career development, workplace culture and building trust in leadership. These elements play a significant role in shaping the employee experience and can strongly influence retention.

For younger professionals, particularly millennials and Gen Z, the opportunity to address sustainability challenges is especially compelling. A 2024 survey revealed that nearly 90% of respondents in these groups believe it’s essential for their work to make a difference, with 88% stating that their job should align with their personal values. Clean energy careers strongly align with these expectations. In fact, 81% of surveyed individuals see the clean energy sector as a promising career path. Among the top reasons cited were the sector’s positive environmental impact and the opportunity to be part of something larger than themselves. Even among those currently employed in unrelated fields, 65% expressed a willingness to pivot to a clean energy role, underscoring the growing demand for purpose-driven careers. People want to feel like their work matters and that they are growing. In a fast-evolving sector, building a strong team is about offering purpose, not just perks.

6. Embrace collaboration

No single company can solve the energy workforce shortage on its own. This is a shared challenge, and it needs a shared solution. That means governments, schools and businesses need to collaborate on everything from education to job training. As an example, it is critical to align training programs with real workforce needs. That means sharing data across sectors to understand where demand is heading and making sure employees are trained for the jobs of the future.

The energy sector is at a turning point. As we continue to embrace energy expansion, we need a workforce that can make it all happen. That requires more than quick fixes. It takes a long-term, inclusive approach that supports talent at every stage, from early education to career advancement. By investing in people as intentionally as we invest in technology and infrastructure, we can close the talent gap and build a workforce ready to power a stronger energy future.

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Kristen Barley is the executive director of the Energy Education Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of energy leaders by providing comprehensive, engaging education that spans the entire energy spectrum.

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Energy leaders will discuss AI in energy, climate venture funding and the evolving energy workforce at the first-ever TEX-E Conference on Tuesday, April 15, at the Ion. Photo via the Ion

TEX-E hosts inaugural energy and climate conference in Houston this month

where to be

The Texas Exchange for Energy & Climate Entrepreneurship will host its inaugural TEX-E Conference on Tuesday, April 15, at the Ion.

The half-day event will bring together industry leaders, students, researchers, and others for panels and discussions centered around the theme of Energy & Entrepreneurship: Navigating the Future of Climate Tech. Topics will include AI in energy, climate venture funding and the evolving energy workforce. Bobby Tudor, CEO of Artemis Energy Partners, is slated to present the keynote.

A networking happy hour and an interactive trivia session are also on the lineup.

Here is the full schedule of events:

1:15 p.m. — Keynote Address: Fueling the Future: Balancing Energy Demands with Net Zero Solutions

Bobby Tudor, CEO of Artemis Energy Partners

1:50 p.m. — Emerging Technologies & AI in Energy

Rob Schapiro, Senior Director, Energy Partnerships, Microsoft
Prakash Seshadri, SBP of Engineering, Electrification Software, GE Vernova
Birlie Bourgeois, Director, Shale and Tight Asset Class, Chevron

Moderated by Timothy Butts, TEB Tech

2:30 p.m. — Break

2:40 p.m. — The Climate Capitalists: Funding the Next Generation

Neal Dikeman, Partner, Energy Transition Ventures
Eric Rubenstein, Founding Managing Partner, New Climate Ventures
Jim Gable, President, Chevron Technology Ventures
Juliana Garaizar, Venture Partner, ClimaTech Global Ventures

Moderated by Adam Ali, TEX-E Fellow

3:20 p.m. — Interactive Trivia Session

3:30 p.m. — The Talent Transition: Navigating Energy Careers in a Changing World

Gin Kinney, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, NRG
Loretta Williams Gurnell, SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation

4:10 p.m. — Closing Remarks

4:30-6:30 p.m. – Brewing Innovation Mixer at Second Draught

TEX-E launched in 2022 in collaboration with Greentown Labs, MIT’s Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship, and five university partners — Rice University, Texas A&M University, Prairie View A&M University, University of Houston, and The University of Texas at Austin. It's known for its student track within the Energy Venture Day and Pitch Competition at CERAWeek, which awarded $25,000 to HEXASpec, a Rice University-led team, earlier this year.

Houston-based Oxy and Woodside Energy sponsor the TEX-E Conference. Register here.

At the GHP's Future of Global Energy event, panelists discussed the opportunities for scale in Houston. Photo by Natalie Harms/EnergyCapital

Panel: Houston's access to talent, strong network drives it as a city for scaling energy transition business

thought leadership

Time is of the essence when it comes to scaling energy transition businesses in Houston — at least that's what a group of panelists agreed on at a recent event from the Greater Houston Partnership.

The GHP's Future of Global Energy event, which took place on October 9, featured a panel entitled, "Epicenter of Energy Innovation for Scale" and was moderated by Barbara Burger, former president of Chevron Technology Ventures and current startup adviser and mentor. Joining Burger was Kristina Lund, president of Pattern Energy; Brooke Vandygriff, COO of HIF Global: and Bud Vos, CEO of MetOx International. All three companies have and plan to continue scaling in Houston.

The conversation covered some of the unique achievements each of the panelists' companies have reached recently, including HIF Global's millions raised to create e-fuels, MetOx's $25 million series B extension, and Pattern Energy's Southern Spirit project scoring $360 million from the Department of Energy to connect Texas's ERCOT to other states.

After covering the momentum each company has right now, Burger asked each of the panelists why Houston makes sense as a place for scaling their energy transition business.

"The U.S. has a great regulatory environment, ERCOT specifically. Texas is in the business of permitting projects," Vandygriff says. "If you take the right steps, you can get your permits. They are very responsive to attracting and recruiting businesses here."

Also attractive is Houston's existing energy workforce. Even when it comes to technology roles, Houston delivers.

"There is great tech talent here," Vos says, pointing out that Bill Gates called Houston the "Silicon Valley of energy" when he was here for CERAWeek. "I think there's an element of that that's very true. There's a lot innovation, there's a lot of creative thinking, and being able to come out of these businesses with huge momentum then go into startups and innovate is a culture change that I think Houston is going through."

The panelists, most of whom are not Houston natives, agreed in a welcoming culture within the business sector.

"I really think that Houston offers great hospitality, and the energy networks here are so strong," Lund says. "You feel the energy of the city."

By understanding the barriers they encounter, leaders, managers, and recruiters can implement targeted strategies to create more inclusive and diverse work environments. Photo via Getty Images

Houston expert analyzes women's role, challenges in the energy industry

guest column

The Women in Energy Global Study is an annual guide that delivers insights on how to retain female talent in a challenging world. It’s a critical roadmap for business leaders, managers, recruiters, and diversity and inclusion professionals to what women want, need, and can offer in the global energy workplace.

The report dives into the data to reveal the nature and aspirations of the female energy workforce. It explores the kids of jobs women are doing and the level of seniority that they are reaching, the career issues they face, what motivates them to contribute their skills to the energy transition and what they need to truly thrive.

The energy transition was a strong thread running through this year’s global survey with a commitment to Net Zero being the stand-out factor that attracts women to a company. Respondents came from an even greater variety of sectors and roles both within and outside the energy industry, reflecting the growing richness and complexity of energy today and the exciting new opportunities it offers.

This year's results showed that oil and gas is the largest employer of women, followed by renewables, and most respondents have reached middle-management level in their career. However, there are still more women than men at the bottom and more men at the top. Women are more likely to be in project management, while men are more likely to be in engineering, and only 6 percent of field services roles are held by women.

Work-life interface and flexibility

Employers appear to be rolling back some of the flexible working policies introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic yet offering options for where and when work is an important value proposition for any company wanting to attract and retain talent.

The good news is that most men and women feel they now have a good work life balance, a positive shift from last year when most said they didn't. Women said that better flexible working would make the most difference to work-life balance.

Attracting and developing diverse talent and helping women thrive

Companies’ commitment to DEI appears to be declining, a reversal in trend from previous years. If this is more than just lack of visibility of what has become "business as usual," then organizations need to remember that better DEI leads to better business performance and it is critical to communicate efforts in this area.

Key things women want from their employer are better professional development, sponsorship and mentoring, flexible working and the opportunity for job-share or part-time working, but there appears to be delivery gap between availability of policies and their uptake.

The demand for good paternity leave is huge among men – more than half said they wanted to see it introduced or improved – and this could be a gamechanger for both sexes. Additionally, a strong commitment to net zero still makes a company more attractive to both women and men. Other key factors for women when choosing their employer are an inclusive workplace culture, benefits and a commitment to DEI.

Time to pave the way

When we amplify the voices of women in the global energy market, we not only bring attention to the challenges they face but also highlight the vast potential they hold. By understanding the barriers they encounter, leaders, managers, and recruiters can implement targeted strategies to create more inclusive and diverse work environments. This not only benefits women in the industry but also fosters innovation and drives growth in our ever-evolving energy sector. As we pave the way for more opportunities and empowerment for women in energy, we are shaping a brighter and more sustainable future for all.

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Jayne Stewart is vice president of oil, gas and chemicals across the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. for NES Fircroft. She is based in Houston.

The future of the oil and gas workforce isn't looking too bright when it comes to recruiting, the Wall Street Journal reports. Photo via Getty Images

Report: College enrollment in petroleum programs — including in Texas — sees historic drop

looking forward

Student enrollment in petroleum engineering programs at universities — including Texas schools — has dropped significantly, according to a recent report.

This prospective energy workforce is concerned about job security as the industry moves forward in the energy transition, reports the Wall Street Journal. The number of students enrolled in petroleum engineering programs has decreased to its lowest point in a decade, the WSJ found, breaking the typical cycle, which "ebbed and flowed" alongside the price of oil.

This decline is estimated as a 75 percent drop in enrollment since 2014, Lloyd Heinze, a Texas Tech University professor, tells the WSJ. The article specifies that the University of Texas at Austin has seen a 42 percent decline since its peak enrollment in 2015, and Texas A&M University has dropped 63.3 percent. Both schools' petroleum engineering programs are ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, by U.S. News and World Report. Texas Tech, which ties with the University of Houston at No. 9 on the U.S. News report, has seen a 88.1 percent decline since its peak in 2015. UH data wasn't included in the article.

The article highlights declines at Colorado School of Mines (87.7 percent), Louisiana State University (89 percent), and University of Oklahoma (90 percent) since their peak enrollment in 2015.

A decline in future workforce for the energy industry would directly affect Houston's economy. According to the 2023 Houston Facts report from the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston held 23.8 percent of the nation’s jobs in oil and gas extraction (33,400 of 140,200) 17.0 percent of jobs in oil field services (33,600 of 198,100), and 9.6 percent of jobs in manufacturing of agricultural, construction and mining equipment (20,400 of 212,000), based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Barbara Burger tells the WSJ that new climatetech-focused startups have emerged and become more attractive to both college graduates and current oil and gas workforce. “There’s competition in a way that probably wasn’t there 15 years ago,” she shares.

The lack of college student pipeline paired with the diminishing workforce from emerging companies poses a challenge to incubant energy corporations, many of which have invested in programs at schools to better attract college graduates. The WSJ article points to BP's $4 million fellowship program with U.S. universities announced in February.

Just this week, Baker Hughes granted $100,000 to the University of Houston's Energy Transition Institute, which was founded last year with backing from Shell. In a recent interview with EnergyCapital, Joseph Powell, founding director of UH Energy Transition Institute, explains how the institute was founded to better engage with college students and bring them into the transitioning industry.

"It takes a lot of energy to process chemicals, plastics, and materials in a circular manner," he says. "Developing that workforce of the future means we need the students who want to engage in these efforts and making sure that those opportunities are available across the board to people of all different economic backgrounds in terms of participating in what is going to be just a tremendous growth engine for the future in terms of jobs and opportunities."

Clean energy jobs are already in Texas, and are ripe for the taking, according to a recent SmartAsset report that found that 2.23 percent of workers in the Houston area hold down jobs classified as “green.” While oil and gas positions are still paying top dollar, these clean energy jobs reportedly pay an average of 21 percent more than other jobs.

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Federal judge strikes Trump order blocking wind energy development

wind win

In a win for clean energy and wind projects in Texas and throughout the U.S., a federal judge struck down President Donald Trump’s “Day One” executive order that blocked wind energy development on federal lands and waters, the Associated Press reports.

Judge Patti Saris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts vacated Trump’s executive order from Jan. 20, declaring it unlawful and calling it “arbitrary and capricious.”

The challenge was led by a group of state attorneys general from 17 states and Washington, D.C., which was led by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The coalition pushed back against Trump's order , arguing that the administration didn’t have the authority to halt project permitting, and that efforts would critically impact state economies, the energy industry, public health and climate relief efforts.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told the Associated Press that wind projects were given unfair treatment during the Biden Administration and cited that the rest of the energy industry suffered from regulations.

According to the American Clean Power Association, wind is the largest source of renewable energy in the U.S. It provides 10 percent of the electricity generated—and growing. Texas leads the nation in wind electricity generation, accounting for 28 percent of the U.S. total in 2024, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Several clean-energy initiatives have been disrupted by recent policy changes, impacting Houston projects.

The Biden era Inflation Reduction Act’s 10-year hydrogen incentive was shortened under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, prompting ExxonMobil to pause its Baytown low-carbon hydrogen project. That project — and two others in the Houston region — also lost federal support as part of a broader $700 million cancellation tied to DOE cuts.

Meanwhile, Texas House Democrats have urged the administration to restore a $250 million Solar for All grant that would have helped low-income households install solar panels.

Texas launches cryptocurrency reserve with $5 million Bitcoin purchase

Digital Deals

Texas has launched its new cryptocurrency reserve with a $5 million purchase of Bitcoin as the state continues to embrace the volatile and controversial digital currency.

The Texas Comptroller’s Office confirmed the purchase was made last month as a “placeholder investment” while the office works to contract with a cryptocurrency bank to manage its portfolio.

The purchase is one of the first of its kind by a state government, made during a year where the price of Bitcoin has exploded amid the embrace of the digital currency by President Donald Trump’s administration and the rapid expansion of crypto mines in Texas.

“The Texas Legislature passed a bold mandate to create the nation’s first Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,” acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock wrote in a statement. “Our goal for implementation is simple: build a secure reserve that strengthens the state’s balance sheet. Texas is leading the way once again, and we’re proud to do it.”

The purchase represents half of the $10 million the Legislature appropriated for the strategic reserve during this year’s legislative session, but just a sliver of the state’s $338 billion budget.

However, the purchase is still significant, making Texas the first state to fund a strategic cryptocurrency reserve. Arizona and New Hampshire have also passed laws to create similar strategic funds but have not yet purchased cryptocurrency.

Wisconsin and Michigan made pension fund investments in cryptocurrency last year.

The Comptroller’s office purchased the Bitcoin the morning of Nov. 20 when the price of a single bitcoin was $91,336, according to the Comptroller’s office. As of Friday afternoon, Bitcoin was worth slightly less than the price Texas paid, trading for $89,406.

University of Houston energy economist Ed Hirs questioned the state’s investment, pointing to Bitcoin’s volatility. That makes it a bad investment of taxpayer dollars when compared to more common investments in the stock and bond markets, he said.

“The ordinary mix [in investing] is one that goes away from volatility,” Hirs said. “The goal is to not lose to the market. Once the public decides this really has no intrinsic value, then it will be over, and taxpayers will be left holding the bag.”

The price of Bitcoin is down significantly from an all-time high of $126,080 in early October.

Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council, argued the state is making a good investment because the price of Bitcoin has trended upward ever since it first launched in early 2009.

“It’s only a 16-year-old asset, so the volatility, both in the up and down direction, will smooth out over time,” Bratcher said. “We still want it to retain some of those volatility characteristics because that’s how we could see those upward moves that will benefit the state’s finances in the future.”

Bratcher said the timing of the state’s investment was shrewd because he believes it is unlikely to be valued this low again.

The investment comes at a time that the crypto industry has found a home in Texas.

Rural counties have become magnets for crypto mines ever since China banned crypto mining in 2021 and Gov. Greg Abbott declared “Texas is open for crypto business” in a post on social media.

The state is home to at least 27 Bitcoin facilities, according to the Texas Blockchain Council, making it the world’s top crypto mining spot. The two largest crypto mining facilities in the world call Texas home.

The industry has also come under criticism as it expands.

Critics point to the industry’s significant energy usage, with crypto mines in the state consuming 2,717 megawatts of power in 2023, according to the comptroller’s office. That is enough electricity to power roughly 680,000 homes.

Crypto mines use large amounts of electricity to run computers that run constantly to produce cryptocurrencies, which are decentralized digital currencies used as alternatives to government-backed traditional currencies.

A 2023 study by energy research and consulting firm Wood Mackenzie commissioned by The New York Times found that Texans’ electric bills had risen nearly 5%, or $1.8 billion per year, due to the increase in demand on the state power grid created by crypto mines.

Residents living near crypto mines have also complained that the amount of job creation promised by the facilities has not materialized and the noise of their operation is a nuisance.

“Texas should be reinvesting Texan’s tax money in things that truly bolster the economy long term, living wage, access to quality healthcare, world class public schools,” said state Sen. Molly Cook, D-Houston, who voted against the creation of the strategic fund. “Instead it feels like they’re almost gambling our money on something that is known to be really volatile and has not shown to be a tide that raises all boats.”

State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, who authored the bill that created the fund, said at the time it passed that it will allow Texas to “lead and compete in the digital economy.”

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This story was originally published by The Texas Tribune and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

Houston-based Fervo Energy closes $462M series E

fresh funding

Houston-based geothermal energy company Fervo Energy has closed an oversubscribed $462 million series E funding round, led by new investor B Capital.

“Fervo is setting the pace for the next era of clean, affordable, and reliable power in the U.S.,” Jeff Johnson, general partner at B Capital, said in a news release. “With surging demand from AI and electrification, the grid urgently needs scalable, always-on solutions, and we believe enhanced geothermal energy is uniquely positioned to deliver. We’re proud to support a team with the technical leadership, commercial traction, and leading execution capabilities to bring the world’s largest next-generation geothermal project online and make 24/7 carbon-free power a reality.”

The financing reflects “strong market confidence in Fervo’s opportunity to make geothermal energy a cornerstone of the 24/7 carbon-free power future,” according to the company. The round also included participation from Google, a longtime Fervo Partner, and other new and returning investors like Devon Energy, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Centaurus Capital. Centaurus Capital also recently committed $75 million in preferred equity to support the construction of Cape Station Phase I, Fervo noted in the release.

The latest funding will support the continued buildout of Fervo’s Utah-based Cape Station development, which is slated to start delivering 100 MW of clean power to the grid beginning in 2026. Cape Station is expected to be the world's largest next-generation geothermal development, according to Fervo. The development of several other projects will also be included in the new round of funding.

“This funding sharpens our path from breakthrough technology to large-scale deployment at Cape Station and beyond,” Tim Latimer, CEO and co-founder of Fervo, added in the news release. “We’re building the clean, firm power fleet the next decade requires, and we’re doing it now.”

Fervo recently won Scaleup of the Year at the 2025 Houston Innovation Awards, and previously raised $205.6 million in capital to help finance the Cape Station earlier this year. The company fully contracted the project's capacity with the addition of a major power purchase agreement from Shell this spring. Fervo’s valuation has been estimated at $1.4 billion and includes investments and support from Bill Gates.

“This new investment makes one thing clear: the time for geothermal is now,” Latimer added in a LinkedIn post. “The world desperately needs new power sources, and with geothermal, that power is clean and reliable. We are ready to meet the moment, and thrilled to have so many great partners on board.”

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