The solar industry may be booming regionally but a lack of specialised recruitment companies is slowing the hiring process.
“When we were recruiting, we contacted the largest firms in the UAE and none of these firms could supply candidates to match our requirements,” said Johann Schoeman, a partner at Dubai-based Oryx Solar, which specialises in the installation and maintenance of solar energy systems.
He said that there were many qualified potentials from places such as Pakistan, the Nordic countries and the Americas. “Recruiting technicians and labour with the right skills for solar installations [represents] another opportunity of focus for recruitment companies.”
Glasgow-based Taylor Hopkinson Associates, a specialist in energy and clean technology, is attempting to answer this call. The recruitment company has offices in London and Madrid and is looking to expand.
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• Salary bar for UAE engineers heats up
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The company’s managing consultant, Jamie Taylor, described an increase in interest from candidates looking to relocate to the UAE in the solar sector.
“In general, the main growth markets for us are the emerging markets and we are currently focusing on Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, as well as continuing to do what we do in Europe,” he said. “With the Mena region being a ‘hot’ market right now – high salaries and tax-free and a strong expatriate community – this is one location candidates are interested in,” he said.
Mr Taylor said that the solar energy sector in general was experiencing huge growth on an international scale but while some markets such as the UAE are picking up pace, others such as the UK are slipping. “As the UK market declines, many people in the sector here want to continue their work in solar and therefore are having a look at international markets,” he said.
Even as oil prices have rocked the energy industry, renewable energy picked up steam last year, according to a report by the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). More than 8 million people held green jobs globally, a 5 per cent increase from the previous year. But the largest jump was in the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry.
Irena said that solar PV was the largest renewable energy employer, representing an 11 per cent increase from the previous year with 2.8 million jobs globally. As the UAE makes strides in reaching its renewable energy target of 30 per cent by 2030, the solar industry is poised to be a leader.
“If the country achieves its renewable energy plans, it can create up to 91,000 jobs in 2030, most of which will be in solar PV,” said Rabia Ferroukhi, the lead report author and Irena’s deputy director of knowledge, policy and finance.
And for Taylor Hopkinson, the UAE is a key discussion area for a new office. “Many companies are opening offices in the UAE and we’re seeing European players expanding into this market,” said Mr Taylor, adding that Dubai was a strategic location to access Africa and Asia, as well as a logistical hub.
“This is a topic currently under discussion and the likelihood is that we will have a base on the ground in Dubai – but just not yet,” he said.
Mr Taylor said that the market was still uncertain, but his company was serving local businesses through its European offices. “It is important to realise that many of the candidates we are recruiting for the UAE are not already based here, but in Europe. There is a huge Spanish community [in] the solar market in Mena and our office in Madrid allows us to capitalise on the strong presence of highly skilled solar specialists who are interested in moving to new markets.”
lgraves@thenational.ae
Final round
25 under - Antoine Rozner (FRA)
23 - Francesco Laporta (ITA), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Andy Sullivan (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG)
21 - Grant Forrest (SCO)
20 - Ross Fisher (ENG)
19 - Steven Brown (ENG), Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Niklas Lemke (SWE), Marc Warren (SCO), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT)
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
INFO
What: DP World Tour Championship
When: November 21-24
Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Klipit%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Venkat%20Reddy%2C%20Mohammed%20Al%20Bulooki%2C%20Bilal%20Merchant%2C%20Asif%20Ahmed%2C%20Ovais%20Merchant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Digital%20receipts%2C%20finance%2C%20blockchain%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%244%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Privately%2Fself-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam
The team
Videographer: Jear Velasquez
Photography: Romeo Perez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Models: Meti and Clinton at MMG
Video assistant: Zanong Maget
Social media: Fatima Al Mahmoud
SCHEDULE
December 8: UAE v USA (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 9: USA v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 11: UAE v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 12: UAE v USA (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 14: USA v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 15: UAE v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
All matches start at 10am
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.