Radhika Choudary of Freyr Energy – Climate Recruiter Interview – Clidemy Careers
Clidemy Careers is a new section at Clidemy where we post inputs and insights on career opportunities opening up in the fast growing climate action sector.
The Climate Recruiter Interview is one avenue through which we provide insights. In this series, we interact with startup founders, senior management and recruiters from climate tech firms to gain an understanding of the skills they are looking for and perspectives on how professionals from different sectors can transition to a climate tech career..
We are pleased to present the Climate Career Recruiter Interview with Radhika Choudary, Co-Founder and Director at Freyr Energy Services Private Limited, a leading rooftop solar & distributed solar power solutions provider for residential, commercial & industrial segments.
Freyr Energy was founded on the principles of making solar energy affordable and accessible for everyone. In order to make adoption of solar energy a reality at the grass-root level, they have identified that consumer awareness, affordability and accessibility play an integral role. With their innovative platform, SunPro+, extensive channel-partner network and efficient service they address these factors to make any venture into solar energy hassle-free.
Team Clidemy thanks Radhika for her insights.
CURRENT ROLES AND SKILLS
What types of climate technology or climate-related career opportunities are available at your firm?
- Solar Energy System Design Engineer
- Solar Rooftop Project Management
- Clean tech Product Management
- Operations & Maintenance Engineer
- Sales & Marketing
What are the key skill sets you look for in the top three roles?
Solar Energy System Design Engineer
a) Proficiency in CAD software for solar system design
b) Strong understanding of electrical engineering principles
c) Knowledge of solar energy technologies and their applications.
Solar Rooftop Project Management
a) Project planning and coordination skills
b) Knowledge of construction and installation processes
c) Strong organizational and leadership abilities
Clean Tech Product Management
a) Market research and analysis skills
b) Product development and innovation expertise
c) Business acumen and strategic thinking
Operations & Maintenance Engineer
a) Knowledge of solar PV system operations and maintenance practices
b) Troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities
c) Understanding of electrical and mechanical systems
Sales & Marketing
a) Sales Strategy and Planning
b) Relationship Building and Customer Engagement
c) Negotiation and Closing Deals
How can freshers starting off in a climate tech career gain entry into companies such as yours?
Freyr Energy hires from top engineering colleges for sales, operations, and design engineer roles. So, freshers right from college can start working from us through their college placement processes.
What types of training and skill development do you provide for professionals in your firm?
Product and Technology Training
- Product knowledge and updates to stay abreast of industry trends
- In-depth understanding of our tech platform and digital solutions
- Training on the latest solar energy technologies and advancements
Technical Training
- Solar energy system design and engineering
- Installation and commissioning of solar rooftop systems
- Operation and maintenance of solar PV systems
- Other professional training & certification as required for the role
CLIMATE AS A CAREER OPTION
Why do you think highly skilled professionals should choose climate technology as their career option?
Working in an emerging sector like rooftop solar, skilled professionals get the chance to make a tangible and positive difference, capitalize on the sector’s growth potential, work with advanced technologies, and contribute to addressing energy access challenges in the country.
How can professionals with fundamental skills (e.g., electrical engineers, biochemistry professionals, excellent marketing professionals, etc.) but no experience in the climate tech field you are operating in transition into climate tech?
- Connect with professionals and organizations in the climate tech field through industry events, online communities, and social media platforms.
- Identify transferable skills from their current field that can be applied to climate tech, such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, project management, or communication skills. Highlight these transferable skills in resumes, cover letters.
- Freyr Energy offers Internship positions to provide hands-on experience to freshers.
- From time to time we open up projects in operations, marketing etc. These can allow an individual for a gradual transition and skill development in the climate tech domain.
How can companies in the climate tech domain attract top-notch talents who are currently more interested in working in high growth, high paying careers such as finance & infotech?
- Communicate the long-term societal and environmental impact that their work can have, appealing to candidates who seek purpose-driven careers.
- On top of good compensation, at Freyr Energy, employees enjoy flexible work arrangements, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive work culture.
- As the industry is very new in India, we are forced to attract talent from other industries and offer comprehensive training programs, mentorship, and skill development opportunities to attract professionals
Most climate tech jobs appear to be engineering oriented. What types of non-engineering career options are opening up in climate technology?
- Communications and Marketing Specialist
- Documentation Coordinators to work along with the government agencies
- Sales Managers
- Accounting Roles
How can professionals with fundamental skills (e.g., electrical engineers, biochemistry professionals, excellent marketing professionals, etc.) but no experience in the climate tech field you are operating in transition into climate tech?
- Connect with professionals and organizations in the climate tech field through industry events, online communities, and social media platforms.
- Identify transferable skills from their current field that can be applied to climate tech, such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, project management, or communication skills. Highlight these transferable skills in resumes, cover letters.
- Freyr Energy offers Internship positions to provide hands-on experience to freshers.
- From time to time we open up projects in operations, marketing etc. These can allow an individual for a gradual transition and skill development in the climate tech domain
How can companies in the climate tech domain attract top-notch talents who are currently more interested in working in high growth, high paying careers such as finance & infotech?
- Communicate the long-term societal and environmental impact that their work can have, appealing to candidates who seek purpose-driven careers.
- On top of good compensation, at Freyr Energy, employees enjoy flexible work arrangements, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive work culture.
- As the industry is very new in India, we are forced to attract talent from other industries and offer comprehensive training programs, mentorship, and skill development opportunities to attract professionals
Most climate tech jobs appear to be engineering oriented. What types of non-engineering career options are opening up in climate technology?
- Communications and Marketing Specialist
- Documentation Coordinator to work along with the government agencies
- Sales Managers
- Accounting
CAREER GROWTH IN CLIMATE TECH
Are salaries and incentives in the climate tech sector as good as the conventional engineering & industrial sectors?
Salaries and incentives are comparable to those in the conventional sectors. However, it may vary depending on factors such as job role, experience, and specific industry subfields.
Can professionals expect career growth in climate tech that are similar to those in other attractive career domains – finance, tech, analytics etc.?
The solar industry in India is experiencing rapid growth, creating abundant opportunities. This has resulted in a significant demand for professionals across diverse fields, including finance, technology, analytics, sales, and operations.
FUTURE TRENDS
As climate efforts become far more prevalent and widespread, the demand for talent could fast outstrip supply. What can be done to increase the climate tech talent pool?
- Incorporate climate tech-focused courses and programs in educational institutions, covering various disciplines and skill sets.
- Collaboration between academia, industry, and government entities can bridge the gap between research and industry needs.
Do you foresee new career opportunities opening up in your domain and in your company in the near future?
Yes. We are growing rapidly. Hence we are always on the lookout for good talent.
OTHERS
Are there fundamental differences between climate tech jobs and jobs in other fields?
Fundamentally, climate tech jobs share similarities with jobs in other fields. However, with a climate tech job, the impact is often more visible and gratifying, as professionals directly contribute to addressing pressing environmental challenges and creating a sustainable future.
If you are presented with two candidates, one with good functional skills but high passion for the climate tech sector, and another with exceptional functional skills but no specific passion for the climate tech sector, which of the two will you choose, if you are allowed to choose only one?
I would choose the candidate with good functional skills and high passion. In industries like climate tech, passion plays a critical role as it drives innovation, perseverance, and a unique perspective when venturing into uncharted territories and solving novel challenges. The ability to approach problems with enthusiasm and dedication is invaluable in contributing to the sector’s growth and making a meaningful impact.
