The energy transition: Bridging the skills gap

An energy transition is underway, and changes to how we produce, store, supply and use energy are coming thick and fast.

The UK set national targets in 2019 to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050 (with Scotland having committed to reaching this by 2045). To accomplish this, the UK needs to transition to a new energy landscape in which a smarter, sustainable, and more integrated energy infrastructure system must be built to provide for our energy needs. A lot of things are changing, and energy policy is not yet fully nailed down, however what seems obvious is that levels of energy infrastructure investment not seen for a generation are imminent.

It is essential that skills and knowledge are acquired and rapidly developed to re-imagine, re-configure and operate this new energy system. However, one of the largest problems facing the sector today is a shortage of skilled labour.

In designing, building, and maintaining sustainable energy and other utility infrastructure systems, we will not only be safeguarding all our futures, but also employing large numbers of people. This will not only positively affect the people working on the projects but will also engage a large supply chain including many local trades and suppliers. The new energy infrastructure we help build will future-proof local and UK industry, manufacturing, and jobs, safeguarding local communities for many generations to come.

At present, we are facing increased demand for work across multiple utilities infrastructure sectors. However, this is set against a declining workforce with relevant industrial skills and a tighter labour market due to restrictions in labour movement. To build and operate new energy systems, whilst maintaining existing infrastructure in sectors which are already experiencing an ageing workforce, will require a major re-industrialisation of the labour market, and the creation of valuable and valued careers which cater for a more diverse workforce. This will require sustained levels of investment and collaborative endeavours between government and industry to attract and retain a new generation of workers and develop new approaches to developing their skills and knowledge.

At United Living Infrastructure Services (ULIS), we are envisaging greater movement of labour from the wider construction sector into energy infrastructure, alongside significant cross-industry recruitment and development initiatives to meet the short and longer-term needs of the energy sector.

To meet supply-side needs, we have begun ramping up our apprenticeships in line with contracted demand and developing technical training programmes to upskill our existing and planned workforce. We are automating our working practices and using ‘lean’ process optimisation methodologies, resulting in greater standardisation and modularisation of engineering and build techniques. ULIS is also investing in our management and graduate programmes in readiness for the transition.

Along with others in the supply chain, we collaborate with industry and academic partners to create novel module content for engineering degrees, new trailblazing apprenticeship schemes, and unique technology to ensure we are teaching, developing and deploying cutting edge construction methods which save time and cost, minimise risk and reduce waste and emissions.

In order to go further, the wider industry needs to return to a more collective ownership and adoption of skills and competence for workforce planning and management, with greater levels of sponsorship for degree and apprenticeship-level programmes including asset owners’ sponsorship and the transfer of apprenticeships to develop local talent pools of resources. Sectors, especially those such as energy and water utilities with economic regulators, need to provide a greater density of work in local areas to encourage a diverse workforce, and provide on-the-job training and development which has been in decline for decades. Skills academies, Professional Engineering Institutions and higher education establishments need to work much closer together and utilise shared funding streams to reduce the gaps which have emerged between meeting the skills that are needed to build, run, and maintain new energy networks.

Government needs to play its part too. Not only in terms of regulatory models, but in terms of developing policy. Some of these policies could address how to stimulate longer-term skills and local content versus relying on global markets, how to provide funding for industry to prepare for the growth in the workforce (e.g., how to provide help with advertising and support to industrial recruitment strategies) and setting up guaranteed purchase schemes for plant and equipment to allow construction companies to order equipment without high degrees of risk. This would provide greater certainty for longer-term investment in major capital projects and rectify the UK’s declining industrial base.

Investment in new energy infrastructure will not only safeguard our environment, but it will help maintain national and local economies, especially in the industrial regions. It will also enable our know-how and services to be developed and exported worldwide, helping other nations in the fight against climate change whilst providing jobs and rewarding career opportunities for generations to come.

Tim Roff Technical Lead – New Energy Infrastructure