All Things Renewables - Bridging the Talent Gap Episode.

800 days ago

All Things Renewables - Bridging the Talent Gap Episode.

Bridging the Talent Gap

In this episode of All Things Renewables, we tackle the pressing issue of the talent gap in the renewable energy sector. Featuring Martin Schnoor Warming, founder of RECOA, Adam Grainger, founder of LSP Renewables, and Scott Thomson, Head of Solar at LSP, this discussion delves into the challenges and opportunities of workforce development in the industry. Our expert guests share their perspectives on attracting, training, and retaining the skilled professionals needed to drive the sector forward. Whether you're an industry veteran or a newcomer, this episode offers valuable insights into bridging the talent gap and fostering the next generation of clean energy leaders.

Check our RECOA's site and all they have to offer here!

Looking for new job opportunities or looking for new talented renewables professionals, check out the LSP website here!

Connect with Martin on LinkedIn if you have any questions about the amazing work RECOA do.

If you would you like to get in touch with Adam or Scott, their contact details are below.

✉️adam.grainger@lsprenewables.com
✉️scott.thomson@lsprenewables.com

Latest Jobs

Offshore Wind

HV Technicians

HV Technician Overview We are supporting a major offshore wind project in UK and are seeking experienced HV Cable Jointers / HV Technicians to join the commissioning phase. This role is suited to technicians with strong offshore HV experience who are comfortable working under Permit‑for‑Work systems and within strict safety rules. Key Responsibilities Report directly to the on‑shift client Commissioning Lead person. Take technical direction from the client’s Electrical Safety Specialist when required. Carry out HV cable pulling, routing and clipping activities as required. Connect HV tower cables into junction boxes within the tower (Pfisterer). Terminate HV tower cables onto the converter frame in the nacelle across all WTGs. Remove and install HV jumper cables using Pfisterer Seaanex Type 3a systems in line with approved RAMS. Route, clip and connect HV dropper cables from WTG switchgear into inner array cable joints at foundation level. Erect, inspect, use and dismantle 6.2 m PASMA scaffold towers in accordance with site instructions. Erect cable containment from tower to foundation where required. Work under a Permit‑for‑Work system, either leading a work party or acting as a competent team member. Complete training to become a nominated Competent Person under the Employer’s safety rules. Participate in regular offshore emergency and rescue drills. Support additional WTG‑related tasks as directed by the client Commissioning Lead person. Desirable Experience Previously nominated as HV Competent Technician (CT), or Willingness to be nominated as a CT if not currently certified. Prior offshore commissioning or major construction project experience. Please note: you must already have the right to work in the country where this role is based to be considered for it.

Solar

Project Development Officer - Planning

United Kingdom

A UK-focused renewable energy developer and emerging independent power producer, the firm has built a sizeable pipeline of utility-scale solar projects with increasing emphasis on battery energy storage and co-location. Its UK portfolio includes a first major project progressing towards construction, alongside a broader consented/ready-to-build portfolio and a development pipeline exceeding 5 GW. The business is increasingly pursuing an asset-ownership model, supported by recent financing, long-term offtake arrangements and growing in-house capabilities across BESS, controls and asset management. It remains predominantly a development-stage platform in the UK, with limited evidence of operational UK assets as of September 2026. Key responsibilities Carry out planning desktop assessments, reviewing planning policy, site constraints and designations, and present findings to the development team. Undertake site visits where required and report on site suitability for solar PV and battery storage. Prepare site appraisal reports, planning assessments, constraints plans, site layouts, maps and other supporting documentation. Use CAD, GIS, Land App and other mapping or spatial-planning tools to create, update and interpret plans, layouts and technical drawings. Present spatial, planning and technical information clearly to colleagues and stakeholders. Support the coordination of planning consultants, environmental surveyors and other technical advisers, as well as engagement with local authorities, parish councils and local communities. Support projects through the planning, grid connection and wider development processes, tracking actions and milestones to ensure timely delivery. Prepare internal management approval documents and maintain well-structured project documentation in a data-room format. Support the wider development team and contribute to the growth of the UK renewable energy business. Work in accordance with applicable Health and Safety legislation and company procedures, with travel throughout the UK as required. You will ideally have: Strong computer literacy, including excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams and document-management or data-room platforms. Practical experience using CAD, GIS or similar mapping and spatial-planning software, with the ability to create, edit and interpret plans, maps, layouts, technical drawings and spatial data. Strong attention to detail when preparing planning assessments, reports and project documentation. Good written and verbal communication skills, with confident presentation and negotiation abilities. The ability to work independently and as part of a wider team. A willingness to learn, develop new skills, take on increasing responsibility and travel across the UK. Experience in planning, infrastructure, spatial planning, GIS, CAD or renewable energy development would be advantageous. We are also interested in candidates with strong transferable skills and the motivation to develop within the role. We offer Be part of a values-driven company committed to sustainability, excellence, and teamwork. The opportunity to contribute to interesting projects in a future-oriented growth market. Opportunity to join a collaborative team, within a flat organisational structure, to help shape and grow the project development business. Competitive remuneration and benefits package with company pension, private healthcare, life assurance, discounts platform and 24 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service. Hybrid working, with mandatory attendance at our office for two days every other week and home working for the remainder. Flexible working hours. Opportunities for ongoing training, professional development, and career progression. Play a meaningful role, contributing to a company committed to tackling the climate emergency and protecting the environment. Please note: you must already have the right to work in the country where this role is based to be considered for it.

Solar

Payroll & Labor Specialist

Tokyo

Our client is looking for a Payroll & Labor Specialist to manage their Human Resources operations in Japan. The ideal candidate will take ownership of Japan payroll processing, social insurance administration, and labor compliance, while serving as a strategic HR Business Partner to support team growth and employee engagement. Fluency in both Japanese and Mandarin is required to seamlessly collaborate with localized teams and overseas stakeholders. Key Responsibilities End-to-end management of monthly payroll processing for Japan employees, ensuring full accuracy and compliance with local tax and labor laws. Handle statutory welfare and social insurance procedures, including Social Insurance (shakai hoken) and Labor Insurance (rodo hoken) procedures, enrollment, calculations, and annual adjustments (Geikou/Santei). Oversee year-end tax adjustments (Nenmatsu Chousei) and local resident tax administration. Manage attendance tracking, overtime calculations, paid leave management, and expense reimbursement verification. Act as the primary liaison with external Japan labor law attorneys (Sharoushi) and payroll vendors. Act as an HR Business Partner to business leaders, providing advice on labor regulations, performance management, employee relations, and organizational development. Design and execute local HR policies, onboarding/offboarding processes, and employee engagement initiatives tailored to the Japan market. Address employee inquiries regarding compensation, benefits, social insurance, and internal employment guidelines (Shukyou Kisoku). Ensure all employment contracts, rules of employment, and HR operations align with Japanese Labor Standards Act (Roudou Kijun Hou). Bridge communication between cross-border regional HR teams and local Japan employees. About You 3–5 years of hands-on experience in Japan payroll, social insurance calculation, and labor operations. Experience as an HRBP or Generalist in a Japanese market environment is highly desirable. Fluent in Japanese (JLPT N1 level equivalent) with clear professional writing and communication skills. Fluent in Mandarin for internal reporting and cross-border team collaboration. English is a plus. Solid knowledge of Japan labor law, payroll taxation, social/labor insurance regulations, and standard HR practices in Japan. Exceptional attention to detail, high confidentiality, strong interpersonal communication, and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in HRIS/Payroll systems (e.g., SmartHR, Money Forward, Freee, Workday, or similar platform) and Excel. If you are interested in this role, please apply. Please note: you must already have the right to work in the country where this role is based to be considered for it.

Offshore Wind

Package Manager - Marine Installation Package

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Our client is looking for a Package Manager - Marine Installation Package to support the delivery of a major renewable energy project. Key Responsibilities Project Management – Lead the Marine Installation Package (MIP) and the associated project delivery team. Act as the primary point of contact for all package matters, liaising with internal and external stakeholders. Define and manage risks, budget, programme, and resourcing for the package scope within the overall project controls regime. Technical Oversight – Oversee the FEED and final design of the Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) and Offshore Transformer Module (OTM) foundations and the Inter-Array Cables (IAC). Ensure execution phase documentation is developed to the correct standards. Resolve technical issues with the engineering team and other project leads. Supplier & Contractor Management – Lead the procurement and contracting activities related to the MIP scope in accordance with the project contracting strategy. Manage contract negotiations and development with the tier 1 supply chain. Ensure compliance with all necessary project and contractual requirements during the execution phase. Safety Leadership – Ensure the project’s safety culture, standards, and KPIs are met by all team members and contractors. Uphold the guiding principle of the client’s Safety Family licence: ‘if it’s not safe, we don’t do it’ in managing health, safety, and the environment. Quality Management – Ensure the delivery of the scope in accordance with the project’s quality standards, KPIs, and the Quality Management Plan. About You Degree or experience/training in a relevant technical discipline such as Electrical, Mechanical, Structural, or Marine Engineering. Demonstrated track record as a project manager in offshore wind or subsea projects, preferably at Package Manager level, delivering offshore wind foundations and/or IAC cable packages. Experience with subsea surveys and engineering, cable manufacturing, marine installation, and HV testing/commissioning. Strong commercial acumen within relevant contract frameworks, with the ability to lead contract negotiations and manage tier 1 contracts. Proficiency in HSEQ standards for offshore construction projects in the UK. If you are interested in this role, please apply. Please note: you must already have the right to work in the country where this role is based to be considered for it.

Offshore Wind

SAP - 275kV

United Kingdom

Our client is looking for an SAP - 275kV to support the delivery of a major renewable energy project in Grimsby. This role involves overseeing high voltage system integration, operational supervision, and ensuring compliance with electrical safety rules. Key Responsibilities Manage electrical issues in accordance with the relevant legislation and regulations. Delegate scopes of work for the Transmission Specialist team on both offshore and onshore sites. Oversee and manage rotaplans for all Transmission Specialists and Operators on site. Lead improvements of site-specific instructions related to high voltage electrical operations. Implement and ensure compliance with electrical safety rules on site. Advise on high voltage electrical installations for wind turbine generators, offshore substations, and associated cables. Oversee the safe commissioning of grid connections, onshore substations, and MV/HV/LV equipment. Ensure safety, security, and integrity of the high voltage network. Coordinate MV/HV/LV commissioning activities throughout the project construction stages. Control safety documentation for electrical safety rules on site. Define safety procedures for electrical matters and delegate tasks to Operators overseeing commissioning activities. Review high voltage scopes of work and ensure compliance with country-specific standards. About You Several years of operation and commissioning experience in high voltage electricity, preferably with offshore experience. Appropriate electrical qualifications related to the authorization scope. A minimum of 3 years of working experience within onshore substation systems. Completed and up-to-date GWO courses and HUET with CA-EBS, if required by the site. If you are interested in this role, please apply. Please note: you must already have the right to work in the country where this role is based to be considered for it.

Offshore Wind

HSE Specialist

Our client is looking for an HSE Specialist to support the delivery of a major renewable energy project. Key Responsibilities Provide professional HSE advice and guidance to operational and management teams. Support the implementation of high standards of HSE performance and continual improvement, including behavioural safety, wellbeing and sustainability initiatives. Build strong relationships with operational teams and stakeholders to identify, eliminate and reduce risks and promote a positive HSE culture. Liaise with internal and external departments to ensure contractors are appropriately selected, engaged and monitored in relation to HSE performance. Produce, review and update HSE documentation and ensure relevant standards, procedures and requirements are maintained. Contribute towards annual HSE KPIs, objectives and targets. Carry out regular workplace inspections, both onshore and offshore, as required. Plan, coordinate and record emergency response drills and associated feedback. Provide HSE support across offshore wind operations, including servicing, work package reviews, lifting operations, environmental considerations and offshore logistics. About You NEBOSH Certificate. IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management. Experience developing, implementing and maintaining a certifiable HSE Management System. Previous experience working as an HSE professional within Offshore Wind or another high-risk industry. Good knowledge of offshore wind O&M activities, including servicing, lifting operations, work package reviews, offshore logistics and environmental considerations. Ability to build effective working relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including active listening. Experience with renewable technologies and mechanical, electrical and technical systems. Ability to provide HSE advice on technical and operational matters. Good written and spoken English. Full driving licence. Willingness and ability to work offshore regularly via CTV and complete offshore medical and relevant GWO training requirements. If you are interested in this role, please apply. Please note: you must already have the right to work in the country where this role is based to be considered for it.

Solar

HRBP

Japan

Our client is looking for a Payroll & Labor Specialist to manage their Human Resources operations in Japan. The ideal candidate will take ownership of payroll processing, social insurance administration, and labor compliance, while serving as a strategic HR Business Partner to support team growth and employee engagement. Fluency in both Japanese and Mandarin is required to seamlessly collaborate with localized teams and overseas stakeholders. Key Responsibilities End-to-end management of monthly payroll processing for Japan employees, ensuring full accuracy and compliance with local tax and labor laws. Handle statutory welfare and social insurance procedures, including Social Insurance (shakai hoken) and Labor Insurance (rodo hoken) procedures, enrollment, calculations, and annual adjustments (Geikou/Santei). Oversee year-end tax adjustments (Nenmatsu Chousei) and local resident tax administration. Manage attendance tracking, overtime calculations, paid leave management, and expense reimbursement verification. Act as the primary liaison with external Japan labor law attorneys (Sharoushi) and payroll vendors. Act as an HR Business Partner to business leaders, providing advice on labor regulations, performance management, employee relations, and organizational development. Design and execute local HR policies, onboarding/offboarding processes, and employee engagement initiatives tailored to the Japan market. Address employee inquiries regarding compensation, benefits, social insurance, and internal employment guidelines (Shukyou Kisoku). Ensure all employment contracts, rules of employment, and HR operations align with Japanese Labor Standards Act (Roudou Kijun Hou). Bridge communication between cross-border regional HR teams and local Japan employees. About You 3–5 years of hands-on experience in Japan payroll, social insurance calculation, and labor operations. Experience as an HRBP or Generalist in a Japanese market environment is highly desirable. Fluent in Japanese (JLPT N1 level equivalent) with clear professional writing and communication skills. Fluent in Mandarin for internal reporting and cross-border team collaboration; English is a plus. Solid knowledge of Japan labor law, payroll taxation, social/labor insurance regulations, and standard HR practices in Japan. Exceptional attention to detail, high confidentiality, strong interpersonal communication, and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in HRIS/Payroll systems (e.g., SmartHR, Money Forward, Freee, Workday, or similar platform) and Excel. If you are interested in this role, please apply. Please note: you must already have the right to work in the country where this role is based to be considered for it.

Offshore Wind

Senior Manager Origination & Development

London

Our client is looking for a Senior Manager Origination & Development to support the delivery of a major renewable energy project in London. Key Responsibilities Understand and analyse offshore wind markets, including route-to-market options and competitive landscapes. Identify new market entry strategies in collaboration with the Strategy department. Lead business development efforts for projects pre-financial investment decision at regional and international levels. Negotiate new offshore wind and renewable energy projects and partnership deals. Manage our client’s existing offshore wind development portfolio, ensuring performance meets HSE&S, programme, and budget targets. Coordinate the transition of projects to delivery or asset management teams. Develop financial valuations, modelling, and investment presentations. Manage relationships with prospective and existing investors, partners, and stakeholders. Prepare relevant updates and reports as required. Comply with information security policies and support QHSE activities. About You Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, or a related field; a Master’s degree is an asset. A minimum of 7 years of business development experience within the energy sector. Strong knowledge of renewables, especially offshore wind. Exceptional communication skills and ability to work in a diverse environment. Strong stakeholder management experience in UK and international markets. Project management skills with attention to detail. Ability to negotiate and influence effectively. If you are interested in this role, please apply. Please note: you must already have the right to work in the country where this role is based to be considered for it.

Offshore Wind

Document Controller

London

Our client is looking for a Document Controller to support the delivery of a major renewable energy project. Key Responsibilities Serve as the dedicated Document Controller for assigned contract packages, working closely with Package Managers, project stakeholders, and contractor Document Controllers to provide guidance and support on Aconex, SharePoint, and document control processes, ensuring compliance with project requirements and document management standards. Review and validate contractor Master Document Registers (MDRs) ensuring deliverables are correctly coded and metadata is accurately recorded within Aconex. Manage contractor Document Number Requests by creating Aconex placeholders (document numbers) manually and via the Aconex bulk uploader. Transmit assigned placeholders (document numbers) to the contractor. Maintain and update Document Distribution Matrices (DDMs). Create and manage Aconex workflow templates in line with DDM requirements. Process contractor document submission transmittals. Perform quality assurance checks to ensure contractor document submissions meet project requirements, numbering conventions, and metadata standards prior to Aconex workflow initiation. Manage Aconex workflows, including the reassignment, skipping, and termination of workflow steps to support timely document processing and project delivery. Close-out Aconex Document Control Termination workflow tasks and prepare/issue Return of Comment transmittals to contractors, ensuring timely communication of review outcomes. Monitor and expedite overdue Aconex workflow tasks. Monitor and expedite document submissions and resubmissions from contractors. Issue Technical Queries (TQs) and Technical Query responses through Aconex. File project and contractor Technical Queries and responses; maintain Technical Query Registers. Transmit internal and third-party documentation to contractors through Aconex, ensuring all required document release authorisations are obtained prior to issue. Maintain and update associated Aconex packages and document control registers to ensure accurate tracking and record management. Prepare and issue weekly, monthly, and ad hoc documentation status reports. About You Experience in a Document Controller role, preferably in large multidiscipline engineering projects. Previous experience with Document Control systems in a project support office, preferably Oracle Aconex. Proven experience working under pressure and meeting deadlines. Strong communication skills, both written and oral. Strong general computing skills, especially MS Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint. Strong attention to detail. Systematic, proactive, and service-minded. Team player and motivated. Capable of maintaining positive working relationships while adhering to demanding deadlines. If you are interested in this role, please apply. Please note: you must already have the right to work in the country where this role is based to be considered for it.

Offshore Wind

Project Finance Manager - Offshore Wind

Bristol

Overview We are working with a leading renewable energy developer focused on the development of large-scale offshore wind projects across international markets. The organisation has a significant offshore wind development portfolio spanning both floating and fixed-bottom projects and is entering an important phase of growth as projects progress towards construction and Financial Close. The business is seeking a Project Finance Manager to lead the project finance workstream for a major offshore wind project currently progressing through financing structuring towards Financial Close. The successful candidate will work closely with senior project leadership, sponsors, lenders, financial and tax advisers, legal counsel and other key stakeholders to develop and deliver a bankable financing structure. This is a senior project finance position with significant ownership across financial structuring, bankability, lender engagement, due diligence and Financial Close. The role will also provide exposure to ECA-backed financing and Japanese lenders and sponsors. The Role We are seeking a Project Finance Manager to lead the project finance and financing strategy workstream for a major offshore wind project progressing towards Financial Close. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing the financing strategy, assessing bankability, coordinating lender and adviser due diligence, managing the financial adviser and supporting negotiations across financing documentation. This is a highly stakeholder-facing role requiring strong project finance expertise, financial modelling literacy and the ability to manage complex, multi-party financing processes through to Financial Close and beyond. Key Responsibilities Project Finance Strategy & Financial Close Lead the project finance strategy and financial structuring workstream, coordinating sponsors, lenders, advisers and internal project teams Lead the assessment of project bankability, identifying and resolving issues relating to the financial model, contracting strategy, security package and risk allocation Support Final Investment Decision and Financial Close through robust financing, cost and risk analysis Manage the Financial Adviser and coordinate workstreams against the critical path to Financial Close Evaluate and compare financing structures, including ECA-backed debt, commercial bank debt and bond financing Recommend optimal debt and equity structures based on project requirements, market conditions and risk allocation Oversee the project financial model and sensitivity analysis, working closely with internal finance and commercial teams and external advisers Stress-test the capital structure across market, foreign exchange and inflation scenarios Support the negotiation of financing documentation, including term sheets, Common Terms Agreements, facility agreements and security documentation Coordinate lender due diligence across technical, legal, insurance and financial workstreams Manage financing requirements following Financial Close, including lender reporting and reserve account requirements Lead refinancing processes following construction where required Lender, ECA & Investor Engagement Build and maintain relationships with commercial and institutional lenders relevant to the project financing Engage with Export Credit Agencies and assess their suitability within the overall financing structure Apply knowledge of Japanese ECAs and commercial banks to support financing strategy and lender engagement Support engagement with potential investors and financing partners alongside senior leadership Coordinate lender and sponsor information requirements throughout the financing process Governance, Risk & Reporting Maintain the financing workstream risk register and ensure alignment with wider project risk management Provide regular financing updates to senior project leadership, sponsors and relevant governance bodies Track and report against the Financial Close critical path, decision calendar and key financing milestones Identify risks, dependencies and potential delays that could impact Financial Close Ensure financing activities comply with relevant governance, approval and risk management requirements Support appropriate HSE and stakeholder risk management across project activities Experience and Background Essential Demonstrable experience leading project finance workstreams through to Financial Close on at least two recent projects Strong experience within offshore wind or large-scale renewable energy infrastructure Previous experience in offshore wind project development Strong knowledge of project finance structures, including debt and equity structuring, security packages and lender due diligence Proven experience managing Financial Advisers and coordinating complex, multi-party due diligence processes Strong understanding of financial models, including the ability to critically assess financial model outputs, sensitivities and scenario analysis Experience across financing negotiations and transaction execution Strong stakeholder management experience across sponsors, lenders, advisers and senior leadership Degree qualified in Finance, Economics, Business, Engineering or a related discipline Desirable Experience with ECA financing structures and processes Knowledge of Japanese ECAs, including JBIC and NEXI, and Japanese commercial banking markets Experience working with Japanese sponsors, lenders or other financing stakeholders Professional qualification such as CFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent Experience working within a joint venture or multi-sponsor project structure Experience across floating offshore wind or other emerging renewable technologies Personal Attributes Strong strategic and commercial judgement with the ability to assess complex financing structures Highly analytical with strong financial and project finance capability Confident managing lenders, advisers, sponsors and senior stakeholders Strong negotiation, communication and influencing skills Comfortable managing multiple complex workstreams against demanding deadlines Proactive and solutions-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership Able to identify and resolve issues that may impact project bankability or Financial Close Comfortable operating within complex, international and multi-stakeholder project environments Highly organised, rigorous and detail-oriented Able to operate effectively in a fast-paced project development environment Please note: you must already have the right to work in the country where this role is based to be considered for it.

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