Opportunities in the energy sector increase to meet Ireland’s ambitious renewable energy targets. Employees of a leading energy company discuss their professional journeys, the role of mentorship and the power of company culture.
The dynamic in the energy sector workforce is changing rapidly. Once a male-dominated industry, it is becoming more inclusive. The need for diverse perspectives is fundamental to drive innovation and tackle environmental challenges.
Grace O’Connell
Graduate Engineer, Energia Group
Career support and recognition in energy
Employing over 1,100 people across Ireland, Energia Group has solidified its position as a leader in the Irish energy market. According to Graduate Engineer Grace O’Connell, it is a fantastic place to work and develop.
“They are a really social company, and I can go to anybody at Energia to ask questions, and they will be happy to help. Everyone encourages me to progress and pursue extra courses and training in order to widen my knowledge,” says O’Connell. “I’ve had a number of wonderful role models throughout my career. One of my professional mentors was very inspiring, knowledgeable and always happy to give me advice. She went on to win the ‘Women in STEM Award in Energy,’ showing aspiring female engineers what they can achieve.”
Rebecca Draper
Solar Project Engineer, Energia Group
Finding your niche in energy
Rebecca Draper, Solar Project Engineer, discusses how the company helped her to find her niche. “It’s okay not to know exactly what you want to do straight away. My father was involved in renewable energy, so I always knew I wanted to be an engineer but didn’t know which area I would ultimately work in,” she recalls. “I had the opportunity to complete rotations in different roles across the Group, which gave me experience in different areas and helped me to determine which job roles would be the best fit for me.”
O’Connell agrees, urging young people considering a career in STEM to ‘try everything’ and not fear mistakes, noting that failure is often a stepping stone to success. “When I was at school, I was directed towards careers more ‘suitable for females,’ but despite the opinion of many, I stuck to my guns and decided to prove everyone wrong and pursued a career path in engineering, which I discovered a deep passion for.”
David Terceño Quintana
ESG & Corporate Communications Graduate, Energia Group
The power of company culture
As one of Ireland’s leading energy companies, Energia Group has built a strong reputation not just for providing electricity, gas and renewable energy solutions but also for fostering an exceptional company culture.
“A good company culture adapts to its employees; there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Having a culture which understands its workforce and engages with them directly is extremely important,” says David Terceño Quintana, ESG and Corporate Communications Graduate. “Sustainability runs through everything we do; this year, we were delighted to get recertified to the Business Working Responsibly Mark and win ESG Best Performer of the Year (over 1,000 employees) at the prestigious Green Awards.
Leading the change
The company is committed to promoting education in the areas of energy and sustainability. It engages with schools and young people through various outreach initiatives across Ireland to inspire future talent. “I think it’s important for companies to go into schools and discuss the opportunities available because there are so many,” says O’Connell.
“The world must undergo an unprecedented transformation in a short amount of time if we are to reduce the effects of climate change. The energy sector has a leading role to play in this change, which makes it interesting to work in. There are many ways to play a key part in this transition,” says Terceño Quintana. “My role in sustainability is the perfect fit for me, but there are many other opportunities available across this sector, as everyone must play a part in our decarbonisation journey.”
It takes a wide range of roles to drive innovation across the energy sector, from engineers and scientists developing cutting-edge technologies to data analysts, policymakers and IT specialists — and they are all crucial.
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