For those who want a career that encompasses all that is positive about the technology space and that leaves the world a more equitable place, Industry 4.0 is a gamechanger.

For many within Industry 4.0 type careers, there is often no one way to define or describe a role. With the advancement of working expectations and technologies, many roles have morphed into one another, to form hybrid jobs that cover many areas. That is certainly true of careers in sustainability that sit at the intersection of the business, environmental and tech landscapes. 

The professionals who operate within technology-driven sustainability focused roles are often expected to wear many hats to address the problems of a modern era, in an ironically modern way. 

With that in mind, what skills are needed for those who envision a career in a space where business acumen, tech-knowledge and a passion for a leaner, greener and cleaner world, merge? And what kind of companies have a need for a professional with this particular skillset?

Where to go?

When job hunting, it can be difficult to find an organisation that perfectly aligns with your professional or even personal goals, as well as one that is genuinely committed to making a significant and lasting change. For the most part companies will say and do the right things initially, but what is important is sourcing the organisations that have a history of blending their long-term sustainability and technology strategies, so you have evidence of their commitment. This might be in a large multinational or an SME, regardless, make sure you research a company and even ask about their policies and opportunities before fully committing to a role. 

It is also critical that, especially in the early days of your career, you don’t put yourself in a box because you can’t find the right title, or because the organisation itself isn’t in the sustainability space. The joy of working in this capacity is that you get to be the drive behind an organisation’s commitment to doing better. So roles in areas such as climate data science, renewable energy, AI solutions architecture, digital twins, additive manufacturing, smart manufacturing and more, in diverse companies, create opportunities to better align an organisation with future sustainability goals. It makes an impact. 

Round and round 

As with any job in an industry that depends on major technological achievement, non-negotiable skills include AI, ML, data analytics, 3D imaging, IoT and so on. But when you are working in a sustainability-driven Industry 4.0 role, there are additional abilities that are needed to make up a robust skillset. Many of those skills fall under what is known as the circular economy.

The circular economy is a system by which global production and consumption focuses on sustainable, less harmful practices such as sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. An item’s life cycle and potential for use is extended and waste is reduced to a minimum. 

To achieve a circular economy, companies and their employees need to rethink how they engage with supply chains, the manufacturing process, energy usage, waste disposal and other key areas that result in the more wasteful linear economy that tends to adopt a ‘use it and throw it away’ kind of mindset. 

Skills to prioritise in this area include systems thinking, which is the ability to better understand how all parts of a value chain, the materials, supplies, consumption, waste recovery, policies and infrastructure work in tandem. 

Also, consider circular design skills, which enable a professional to design and develop materials and items that are durable, repairable and reusable, effectively undermining planned obsolescence, which is the practice of deliberately making something fragile, less-powerful or prone to wear and tear, so you have no choice but to replace it, often too soon. 

The voice and face

Another important element of careers in the sustainability and Industry 4.0 space, is the ability to advocate for the work itself and to show its value in a way that is measurable and irrefutable. 

As mentioned before, careers in this area are no longer ‘just one thing’, rather professionals cover strategy, operations, policy, consultations, finances and green technologies, often while managing teams and dealing with internal and external communications. 

With that in mind, professionals need to have a significant understanding of how the business works financially, how the budget can accommodate new green initiatives, how it might align regional climate-focused guidelines, as well as how to report and disseminate findings, outcomes and other relevant information. 

This may require a commitment to education, a focus on leadership and management skills, a study of specific frameworks, analytical skills and capability in public speaking and engagement. If you aim to work as a consultant for an organisation or with larger institutions and government bodies, presentation skills could be of use.

The thing about careers in this space is that there are so many opportunities for qualified and ambitious tech professionals to make their role sustainability focused. We have only just scratched the surface here, so if your job sits at that intersection, don’t be panicked about choosing a lane, forge your own course. 

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