The transition from oil and gas into the renewable energy sector can feel like a natural progression for many people. While many of the technologies and project objectives can differ, there is a significant crossover in terms of the technical, operational, and safety skills that are required in both sectors.

Recruiters operating in areas such as offshore wind, solar, hydrogen, carbon capture and other low-carbon industries will be on the lookout for candidates able to demonstrate an understanding of complex engineering projects, demanding working environments and strict safety standards.

If you’re looking to make the switch, it’s important to understand how to present your existing experience in a manner that is going to best demonstrate its value to a potential renewable energy employer.

Identify Your Transferable Skills

Begin by reviewing the skills you will have developed during your oil and gas career. Many of those capabilities are directly relevant to renewable energy projects.

Some of the transferable skills that recruiters will be looking out for include:

• Offshore operations and maintenance
• Mechanical, electrical or structural engineering
• Project management and project controls
• Commissioning and decommissioning
• Health, safety and environmental compliance
• Inspection, integrity and quality assurance
• Marine coordination and logistics
• Working with contractors and multidisciplinary teams

It is important that you don’t assume an employer will automatically understand how your skill set applies to the vacancy they are recruiting for. Always explain clearly how the work you have previously completed complements the responsibilities listed in the job description.

For example, if you have experience of maintaining offshore oil and gas assets, this may also be relevant to an employer seeking a candidate for offshore wind operations and maintenance. If you’ve managed subsea installations, you will likely be able to demonstrate useful knowledge of marine environments, lifting operations or offshore construction.

Learn the Language of Renewable Energy

While your skills may be transferable, every area of the renewable energy industry has its own terminology, regulations and working practices.

Do some research into the sector that you are looking to enter and familiarise yourself with its major technologies, project stages and employers. If you’re looking to enter offshore wind, you want to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic differences between fixed-bottom and floating wind farms. Familirising yourself with the roles played by developers, turbine manufacturers, installation contractors and operations teams will also stand you in good stead.

No one will be expecting you to present yourself as an industry expert immediately, but showing that you understand the sector and have taken the time to learn about it will certainly strengthen your application.

Address Any Training Gaps

You will likely find that some renewable energy roles require specific certification, technical training or safety qualifications.

Depending on the role, some of the relevant qualifications could include:

• Global Wind Organisation training
• Offshore medical certification
• Electrical authorisation
• Specialist working-at-height training

Before paying for expensive courses, check the vacancy requirements thoroughly, as some employers may provide certain training after appointment.

You can also speak to an energy recruitment consultant who will be able to help you understand which qualifications employers genuinely require and which are simply desirable.

Adapt Your CV

Always tailor your CV to the role that you are applying for. Your opening profile should make your intentions clear by explaining that you are looking to transfer your experience into renewable energy and then identify some of the roles or technologies that interest you.

Focus on your achievements and capabilities, rather than referencing oil and gas processes that may be unfamiliar to a renewable energy employer.

Some of the areas you should focus on include:

• Project scale
• Safety performance
• Technical responsibilities
• Budgets
• Team size
• Measurable results

In each instance, it pays to reference equipment, software, standards and environments, but avoid using unexplained abbreviations.

Be Open to a Sideways Move

Moving sectors does not always require you to start again from square one. That said, it’s important to understand that your first move into renewable energy may be a sideways step rather than an immediate promotion.

By being open to a position at a similar level to your existing role, you can gain sector-specific knowledge, develop contacts and establish your renewable energy experience. Once you have demonstrated your capabilities, further progression within the industry should become easier.

At People with Energy, we’ve been recruiting across the energy industry for decades. You can view our latest vacancies by clicking here, head over to our Candidate Resources page for more tips and advice, or contact us to discuss how your oil and gas experience could support your next career move.