Introduction

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is no longer an emerging technology -it’s becoming a cornerstone of Europe’s energy transition. With over 200 CCS projects at various stages throughout Europe (EIC data) and investment expected to grow by 12% annually through 2028 (EIC Europe OPEX Report 2025), demand for skilled talent has never been higher. But as projects scale up, one question comes into focus: who will deliver them?

The Talent Challenge in CCS

Our Brunel Global Talent & Tech Trends 2025 report found that 51% of C-Suite leaders in conventional energy cite skills shortages as the biggest barrier to scaling CCS and hydrogen. At the same time, 47% of companies say competition with other industries is their top workforce challenge - a clear sign that the fight for talent is intensifying.


The EIC Europe OPEX Report 2025 reinforces this picture, with 62% of operators identifying workforce shortages as the #1 risk to project execution. Beyond delaying schedules, shortages are also inflating budgets: 44% of operators expect OPEX increases directly due to workforce constraints.

The Top Skills Driving CCS Projects

Delivering CCS requires a unique mix of expertise that spans the entire energy value chain:
 

  • Subsurface & Reservoir Engineering: Identifying and managing safe storage sites deep underground.
  • Process & Pipeline Design: Engineering the capture plants, compressors, and transport networks that move CO₂.
  • Health, Safety & Compliance: Ensuring projects meet strict environmental and safety standards.
  • Project Management & Controls: Coordinating complex, multi-phase projects across stakeholders and geographies.
     

These roles don’t just demand technical know-how - they require professionals who can apply oil & gas expertise in a new, fast-evolving industry.
 

Bridging the Gap with Workforce Solutions

Brunel works with operators, EPCs, and developers to solve these workforce challenges. We support CCS projects through:

 

  • Specialist recruitment: Access to niche engineering and technical talent.
  • Global mobility expertise: Seamlessly moving specialists across borders.
  • Compliance and safety assurance: Ensuring projects remain fully compliant, wherever they operate.
  • Project-based workforce solutions: Scalable teams to match the size and scope of each project.
     

By combining global reach with local market knowledge, Brunel connects clients with the people who can deliver the next wave of CCS projects - on time and on budget.
 

Building the Future Workforce

CCS is creating thousands of new jobs, many of which will evolve from today’s oil & gas roles. For professionals, this represents a unique opportunity to transfer expertise into a sector that is central to Europe’s climate strategy. For companies, it’s a chance to partner with workforce specialists who understand both conventional energy and the energy transition.
At Brunel, we believe the success of CCS depends not just on technology, but on people. That’s why we’re committed to helping our clients secure the workforce that will make carbon capture a reality.
 

Ready to strengthen your CCS workforce? Let’s talk.

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