An Internship report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master Science in Development and Sustainability

Internship Report (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2023

The Renewable Energy (RE) industry is in its nascent stage and undergoing significant growth, many firms are unprepared for industry change, causing new marketplace challenges. The industry faces challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled personnel due to its newness and lack of a well-established workforce. Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) can significantly contribute in this context, as it entails the commitment of companies to cultivate favorable interactions between society and the environment while concurrently advancing sustainable development goals. Before cultivating a sense of affiliation with their respective organization, employees frequently evaluate the CSR initiatives undertaken by the organization. The main objectives of the research are to assess the main factors for the scarcity of skilled professionals in RE sectors and review whether the CSR initiatives can attract skilled professionals and mitigate talent scarcity. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with experts in CSR and RE and Human Resources (HR) who possess significant expertise in policy formulation and the recommendation of effective measures that enhance organizational welfare and success. Additionally, interviews were conducted with young graduate professionals studying energy in engineering departments. Given their intrinsic qualities and the goal of the study, the data were examined using theme analysis methodologies. Following the identification of recurrent themes and the highlighting of similarities and differences, the answers were analyzed. The research findings suggest that a lack of awareness of RE is the root cause of the dearth of skilled professionals in the renewable energy industry in Thailand. Due to a lack of awareness and limited institutional emphasis, particularly in Asian regions, there has been a notable absence of educational programs catering to the RE sector. Consequently, this has resulted in a significant skills gap within the industry. CSR initiatives that prioritize environmental sustainability and community engagement have the potential to enhance an organization's appeal. However, it is observed that young graduate professionals are more inclined to seek employment in corporations that offer more attractive financial incentives.