A Comparison of Gender-based Employment Data from the New Zealand and Iceland Geothermal Sector

Abstract

The geothermal industry supports a diverse range of employment from skilled workers to higher professional degrees across a spectrum of disciplines. Through the phases of development i.e. exploration, construction, operations and maintenance, cascade projects, geothermal projects have significant positive direct and indirect impact on employment in the communities which they operate. Geoscience, engineering, modelling, environmental scientists, policy, legal, business, technicians, mechanics, construction and many more specialist skills are required to deliver successful and sustainable geothermal projects. These are highly skilled and interesting roles. Iceland and New Zealand are world leaders in high temperature geothermal electricity generation and direct use. This paper describes employment data from geothermal projects in both countries.