Environmental jobs stand up to credit crunch...but for how long?
14-Jul-08As recession looms ever closer and the slowing economy is starting to put serious pressure on many environmental service client sectors in the UK, the green jobs market continues to thrive in 2008. That is according to data published by a leading specialist recruitment consultancy Acre Resources.
The 17-strong team at Acre has experienced a 20% increase in the number of ‘green collar’ jobs on its books between May 2007 and May 2008, with the most noticeable rise in climate change posts. Jobs relating to energy reduction and emissions management have grown by around 180% over this period.
Acre’s managing director, Andy Cartland, is confident that the sector remains well insulated from the effects of recession: “Many investors are supporting the green agenda as a ‘safe’ option. While oil prices skyrocket, renewable energy solutions look to become more and more viable – the focus on reducing energy and carbon emissions appears ever more essential for all kinds of businesses. These market forces…highlight a lot of reasons as to why the green collar jobs market is so healthy, credit crunch or not.”
He also cites the fact that many big companies, including retailers and petrochemical firms, have made very public pledges regarding their approach to green issues. “They’ve committed to targets around reducing carbon emissions and developing more socially responsible products. Despite pressures indicated by a looming recession, it is too late for most companies to renege on their environmental commitments,” Mr Cartland says.
The average salary for environmental professionals has increased by 5% to £34,000 since 2007, according to Acre’s figures, which have been collated since the firm was established in 2003. Meanwhile, the average salary for climate change experts in 2008 is £49,000, rising by an inflation-busting 14% from last year.
However, Acre’s findings do not shed any light on recruitment trends and demand for contaminated land specialists and others serving the building and property sectors that are most likely to be impacted by the slump in the housing market.
Nigel Clark, marketing director of Enviros Consulting, believes that “if individuals who are siloed in the more traditional areas of environmental consultancy such as contaminated land remediation and due diligence can’t adapt their skills to the broader sustainability and low-carbon agenda, they will be the first to suffer as the credit crunch hits the development sector.”
Although Enviros is still below its target headcount and has ambitious recruitment plans, Mr Clark notes that “we're being a bit more selective” when it comes to recruiting new talent. "Eighteen months ago, if a good CV came in we would have snapped them up virtually irrespective of their specialism,” he says.
Others have also noticed increased fluidity in the green sector’s jobs market in recent months. Simon Handy, managing director of Waterman Group plc’s environmental consultancy, comments: “It was very difficult to find people with the right skills a year ago, but it’s definitely easier now. There seem to be more people out there, greater choice, and we are filling vacancies quicker. But there is still an acute shortage of senior consultants in all environmental disciplines and I doubt that will change for the foreseeable future.”
Register for free subscription
To receive our FREE email news alerts, containing market information and news for executives and investors in the environmental sector, enter your email address below.
