If you’re an engineering professional who has more than five years’ experience in facilities management and cost-saving projects, you should certainly consider expanding your skill set to include energy management. Here’s why and how you can pick up the skill set.
Why should I become an energy manager?
New buildings in Malaysia have started to implement green building initiatives. Both multinational companies and local companies in Malaysia are increasingly looking to align themselves with energy management regulations and policies by the government, as well as reap the benefits of having energy efficient buildings and facilities. To help plan, implement and sustain new energy management initiatives, organisations have started hiring energy managers.
Sujatha Manogaran, Manager of Engineering & Manufacturing at Robert Walters Malaysia, shares that she has seen the number of companies looking to hire energy managers increase in recent years.She says, “The demand for energy managers is certainly on the rise. Combined with the fact that the skill sets required for an energy manager role are very niche and there is a limited pool of talent with right expertise, we expect energy managers to be highly sought after in the next few years.”
Do I have the right skills and experience to become an energy manager?
Becoming an energy manager in Malaysia requires certification. Engineering professionals looking to make the switch will need to put in time and effort to take a specialised training course. This can cost upward of RM4,000 and typically takes about five full days to complete.
Additionally, energy managers will need to have minimum five years’ experience as an engineer in roles related to facilities management and been involved in CAPEX cost reduction projects.
How can I land a role as an energy manager?
In addition to obtaining certification, engineering professionals interested in making the switch should tailor their CVs to highlight any relevant experiences they have had with energy efficiency projects.
However, it’s not just about the technical skills and experience, Sujatha shares, “Given the relative newness of the concept, there may be some stakeholders who do not understand the value of adopting energy management initiatives. Hiring managers are looking for professionals with strong communication and negotiation skills who can leverage data and analytics to present a strong case for energy management.”
Sujatha also encourages aspiring energy managers to work with recruitment consultants to help increase their chances of landing a job. “Despite the limited pool of talent, some companies may pass over the CVs of individuals who do not have prior experience as an energy manager. Recruitment consultants can help candidates position CV in the right way and help them open the right doors to greater opportunities.”
To find out more about becoming an energy manager, please reach out to Sujatha Manogaran at sujatha.manogaran@robertwalters.com.my
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