Kelly Scientific Resources is warning businesses that skilled environmental advisors will become more difficult to source and attract once the carbon tax is implemented on 1 July 2012.
Kelly Scientific Resources, a scientific recruitment firm, recommends that businesses seek specialist energy advice to accurately capture, quantify and record all carbon tax related costs, but according to the company, skilled environmental advisors will become more difficult to source and attract once the carbon tax is implemented on 1 July 2012.
“Businesses need to develop strategies to prepare for the commencement of the carbon tax, taking into consideration cost pass-through, contract review clauses, financing arrangements and energy saving measures,” Paul O’Brien, director at Kelly Scientific Resources Australia, states. “The advice of ‘green collar’ specialists is essential in making smart business decisions and early preparation will help businesses reduce the impact on the organisation.
“The need to employ skilled and experienced environmental planners has never been so crucial. Assessing sustainability practices and implementing new policies should be at the forefront of a business planning to mitigate the risk of non-compliance, possibly resulting in heavy penalties.”
O’Brien notes that the challenge Australian businesses face is that this sector is relatively new, which means current demand far outweighs the number of skilled and experienced professional. He believes that this shortage is only going to get worse post the implementation of the carbon tax.
“The demand for environmental planners has exploded in Australia, with 1368 jobs in the sector advertised on SEEK in May 2012 alone and there’s simply not enough people to fill these positions,” O’Brien imparts.
“Given the high demand for people with skills and experience in the environmental sector, it is crucial for businesses to look at their retention and loyalty strategies as there are many opportunities out there. In addition, businesses may find it beneficial to review their internal talent pool and develop in-house training where they can to up-skill existing staff,” he concludes.
