A leading strategy firm argues that people, not technology or capital, are now the critical bottleneck in delivering the energy transition.
Drawing on global modelling and industry interviews, this analysis estimates that around 30 million workers will need to be reskilled by 2050 to keep net-zero scenarios on track, with demand for key technical and project roles outpacing traditional talent pipelines. The paper explores how energy companies are competing for a finite pool of engineers, technicians and project managers, and why cross-sector hiring—from oil and gas, manufacturing, defence and beyond—is becoming a necessity rather than a nice-to-have. It also lays out practical levers for leaders: internal talent marketplaces, targeted learning programmes, and mentoring models that enable experienced professionals to transfer their expertise into emerging low-carbon businesses at speed.
For professionals considering their own move, this piece offers a clear signal: the transition is happening, the skills gap is real, and individuals who can straddle “old” and “new” energy are in growing demand.
Read the full analysis here – Talent squeeze: Planning for the energy sector’s talent transition – McKinsey & Company