7 October 2008: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills has today announced that a new National Skills Academy for Power has been given the go ahead to help the industry tackle skills shortages both now and in the future.
Tim Balcon, Chief Executive, Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills), said:
“By 2014 we need to attract and train 9,000 new workers in the electricity distribution industry alone*, so we are delighted that the National Skills Academy for Power will now become a reality.
“It will increase training opportunities and improve the quality and relevance of courses, helping to develop clearer career paths for people entering the industry and ensuring workers get nationally recognised qualifications.
“It is crucial for the future of the power industry that we set up this Skills Academy to constantly evolve training to ensure it remains relevant despite advancements in technology, such as the developments in renewable energies”
A number of power sector employers came together as the Power Sector Skills Strategy Group (PSSSG) to drive through the proposal for the new Skills Academy. Businesses involved include: EDF Energy, EON UK, Scottish Power, Scottish & Southern Energy, CE Electric, Morrison Utility Services, Carillion, Alstom, Enterprise Utility Services, Freedom, Balfour Beatty Utility Services, Energy Technologies Institute and ITI Energy.
Richard Harpley, Chairman of the PSSSG and Director of Supply Chain, EDF Energy, said:
“The power sector is critical to the UK’s economy with manufacturing and the transport infrastructure dependent on it. Yet we are seeing significant and growing skills shortages at technician and engineer levels with specific skills gaps around designers, planners, project engineers, system controllers and project managers, and increasing demand for more and more power.
“The Skills Academy is the result of 18 months of collaboration between power sector employers and EU Skills to help tackle our industry’s skills shortages from the generation of electricity through to power transmission, distribution and metering. Taking no action was not an option and we wholeheartedly welcome the decision today.”
To date, 13 skills academies have been approved, with 11 now in operation. Employers have promised over £500,000 of funding to develop the Skills Academy with a further £1million earmarked once the academy is operational.
* June 2008 from EU Skills and the PSSSG