Women in Renewable Energy discuss the importance of innovation, diversity, and providing resources to advance the renewable energy sector.
Brittany Bright
Advisory Committee Member, WiRE
What advice would you give to those interested in pursuing a career in the renewable energy sector?
Connect with others and also focus on the skills you can bring to any organization in renewable energy, rather than focusing on a particular energy form or technology area within the sector. The skills you’ve developed (or are developing) are applicable to more than one kind of clean energy solution alone.
What has WiRE been doing to ensure the advancement of the renewable energy industry?
WiRE has been an advocate for sustainable energy in general and contributes to the industry’s advancement by bringing people of all kinds of backgrounds, areas of work, and skills to support it.
What impact has the renewable energy sector had on Canada’s economy
In recent decades, renewable energy has enabled emission reductions, exports of Canadian expertise, and for more energy users to become producers too. Also, don’t forget: Renewable energy has been behind Canadian industry for nearly 150 years!
How important do you think diversity is towards this industry?
Diversity in all dimensions is crucial. If the sustainable energy industry is going to provide solutions for energy and environment issues – global issues – then the teams working on these problems need to understand a diversity of perspectives.
Jasmine Lyn
Program Manager, WiRE International
How important do you think diversity is in this industry?
Diversity is massively important in the renewable energy sector and in the broader environmental sector. We continue to see instances of energy poverty affecting marginalized groups and energy policies that only take into account the perspective of a few privileged people in Canada and around the world. If we want to have a clean energy future, we have to have diverse perspectives and ways of thinking at the table, across all aspects of the industry.
What advice would you give for those interested in pursuing a career in the renewable energy sector?
You can enter the renewable energy sector from anywhere – what I mean is that you don’t have to have studied engineering or sciences to find a fulfilling role in this sector. There are many diverse roles that need to be filled and they each contribute in a way that is impactful in the clean energy transition. Don’t be discouraged from trying to get into the industry because you don’t have the technical knowledge, that can be easily picked up. Every person, every woman, has something unique to bring to the industry.
What has WiRE been doing to ensure the advancement of the renewable energy industry?
WIRE international aims to target the local needs of the RE industry in each region that we operate in by listening to the local experts and their experiences. For example, we heard through our local partner organization in Nigeria that in the Africa region there is a significant need for more exposure of the energy sector in general and specifically the kinds of roles that women can play in it to young professionals. So WIRE International recently hosted a speed mentoring session to connect RE professionals in Canada, South Africa and Nigeria with young professionals and post-secondary students in Africa. This kind of programming that brings together young minds and knowledgeable professionals to share wisdom is one example of how WIRE strives to dually advance the role of women and the RE industry.
Another example is the webinar series “Renewable Energy for Sustainable and Inclusive Development in the Arctic” that WIRE International and the Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network are co-hosting to raise awareness on topics of diversity and equity in renewable energy in the Arctic, across Iceland, Canada, USA, Russia, Denmark, and Norway and other Nordic nations. This event brings together leaders of energy, diversity and Arctic affairs to clearly define the challenges and opportunities of equitable and clean energy production in the North so that we can move forward informed of the issues and the approaches to solve them.
Kate Power
Social Media Lead, WiRE
What impact has the renewable energy sector had on Canada’s economy?
It has had a positive impact on the Canadian economy, particularly in terms of job creation and innovation. The renewables industry tends to produce long-term, well-paid jobs all across Canada and to foster innovation beyond just the energy sector.
What advice would you give for those interested in pursuing a career in the renewable energy sector?
My two pieces of advice for those interested in pursuing a career in the RE sector are:
- Talk to people! The sector is rapidly growing and changing and the more people in the industry that you can connect with the more likely you are to find your niche and discover companies or roles that you’re interested in.
- Read, read, read! There is so much going on in the space that this will help you keep up with the shifting trends, challenges, and leaders.
How important do you think diversity is towards this industry?
I think diversity is important in all industries, and the renewable energy industry is no exception. Diversity drives innovation by bringing together those with different backgrounds, lived-experiences, and perspectives. It also makes for a better working environment where people feel accepted, which attracts talent and helps companies to retain employees long-term.
What has WiRE been doing to ensure the advancement of the renewable energy industry?
WiRE’s mission is to ensure the advancement of the renewable energy industry by promoting the role and recognition of women in the industry. We do this through networking events, webinars, awards, and bursaries both in Canada and internationally. Through our student chapters, we’re actively attracting young talent to the industry and helping them to grow professionally.
This article was made possible with support from WiRE.
