Workforce development in low-carbon energy transitions

The interplay between workforce dynamics and sustainability transitions has been examined across different research strands, yet often in isolation. Despite the need for horizontal policy alignment within transition governance, workforce development remains underexplored in policy mix research. This study examines how policy mixes unfold within the horizontal governance of the workforce in low-carbon energy transitions. It operationalises the core policy mix characteristics by exploring their interaction and feedback across horizontal scales of governance. Drawing on empirical evidence from the case of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and based on content analysis and 22 interviews, this paper analyses policies and processes tackling labour shortages in the region’s energy transition. The findings reveal that energy workforce needs are poorly integrated across policy domains, with weak political commitment undermining credibility and delaying the development of instruments. Stakeholder-led initiatives compensate for policy shortcomings, yet their disconnection from formal structures limits collective learning and reinforces institutional inertia.