From the Chief Executive
As we move closer to the final delivery of Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills) Sector Skills Agreement (SSA), more and more employers and stakeholders from the sector are becoming involved in the projects and programmes that have been identified in the first 2 research Stages, to address skills’ needs.
This close industry collaboration is enabling EU Skills to clearly define the work which needs to be undertaken and this work is can be summarised in 5 Major Skills Priorities, further information on the skills priorities can be found in this month’s EUpdate.
Following on from the publication of the Leitch Review on 5 December 2006, Sir Digby Jones is currently visiting different parts of the country in the aim to raise awareness about the need to improve skills and training opportunities. On Friday 16 February, Sir Digby met with former MG Rover employees at the Worcester-based heating installation company, Midweb Heating Ltd which was set up following government-funded Rover Rapid Response, set up and run by the Learning and Skills Council which offered retraining at local colleges. The local Learning and Skills Council turned to EU Skills for help and we were therefore delighted that Sir Digby took the opportunity to visit such a successful business. For more information and to read the case study see below.
Finally, we are looking for entries to this year’s SBGI/IGEM Energy & Utility Skills Business Skills Award for the Gas Industry and are calling for entries. Further information on entering can be found in this edition of EUpdate.
Sir Digby Jones Visits MidWeb
Sir Digby Jones, the new government Skills Envoy and former Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is currently visiting different parts of the country in the aim to raise awareness about the need to improve skills and training opportunities.
On Friday 16 February, Sir Digby met with former MG Rover employees at the Worcester-based heating installation company, Midweb Heating Ltd. He met with co-directors Christa Padmore and Clive Denham and some of the 80 former Longbridge workers who have retrained as CORGI –registered gas installation engineers. .
To read the case study on retraining of the ex-Rover employees click here
Sir Digby Jones (seated) visited Midweb Heating Ltd and met co-directors Christa Padmore (left) Clive Denham (right) and ex Rover employees, left to right: Neil Hibbert, Kevin Tanner, Jeff Ali and Geoff Wilkes.
©Timm Sonnenschein
Sector Skills Agreement Update February
As we move closer to the final delivery of Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills) Sector Skills Agreement (SSA), more and more employers and stakeholders from the sector are becoming involved in the projects and programmes that have been identified in the first 2 research Stages, to address skills’ needs.
This close industry collaboration is enabling EU Skills to clearly define the work which needs to be undertaken and this work is can be summarised in 5 Major Skills Priorities.
IWO Annual Conference, 29 - 31 March 2007, Albert Hall, Nottingham
The theme for this year's Institution of Water Officers (IWO) conference 'Leadership for a Sustainable Water Industry' will inspire individuals and organisations to review and develop leadership skills within the water industry. The conference is intended for anyone who is in a leadership position. It is also aimed at those who aspire to be a leader through their own career development and will provide a forum to share best practice, encourage lively debates and challenge current thinking, as well as being both controversial and inspirational.
New 14-19 Diplomas
For the latest information on the new 14-19 Diplomas; Engineering, Construction and the Built Environment, and Landbased and Environmental, visit
and to get involved and give your views contact Hal Igarashi on 0845 077 7011
Be a Winner of the Energy & Utility Skills Business Skills Award for the Gas Industry
Energy & Utility Skills will again be sponsoring the SBGI/ IGEM, Energy & Utility Skills Business Skills Award. The Award recognises initiatives which have contributed towards business skills e.g. projects which include resourcing, restructuring, upskilling, productivity drives, innovation and introduction of new technologies and will be presented at the 2007 SBGI/IGEM Gas Industry Awards Luncheon on Tuesday 8 May at the London Hilton, Park Lane.
A panel of industry experts will judge the entries and all short listed entries will be invited to join Energy & Utility Skills at the Luncheon.
Click here to download and entry form or call Energy & Utility Skills on 0845 077 7012. The closing date is 23 March 2007 and all short listed entrants will be notified soon after.
Credit for Water Industry Qualifications - Trial
Energy & Utility Skills has recently been successful in its bid to obtain funding from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to support a trial which looks at how the new Credit and Qualifications Framework, under development in England, could be used to provide more flexible and focused qualifications for employers. The successful bid relates to the water industry and its use of qualifications and routes.
South West Water Approved By Broker
Employing in excess of 1,300 staff- South West Water (part of the Pennon Group Plc) wanted to improve the skill level and open up career progression opportunities for employees within the waste water function. Graham Daurge, Training Advisor for South West Water, approached Train to Gain for advice about greater access to funded training.
Train to Gain is a free service, funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and delivered throughout the South West by Business Link. Train to Gain Skills Brokers through an Organisational Needs Analysis; offer businesses impartial advice on their skills requirements and match skills and training needs with providers.
Energy & Utility Skills Welsh Language Scheme Approved
Energy & Utility Skills Welsh Language Scheme was approved by the Welsh Language Board on 20 February 2007. Implementation of the Scheme will begin March 2007.
Click here to view the Energy & Utility Skills Approved Welsh Language Scheme - English
Click here to view the Energy & Utility Skills Approved Welsh language Scheme - Welsh
Energy & Utility Skills Counts on CORGI
Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills), the Sector Skills Council for the electricity, gas, waste management and water industries, has enlisted the help of CORGI in its research into skills requirements and training provision in the gas industry.
The Science and Engineering Ambassadors (SEAs) Programme - IGEM Midlands Section
The Science and Engineering Ambassadors (SEAs) programme is co-ordinated nationally by SETNET, the National Network for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The aim of the SEAs programme is to support teachers in the delivery of the curriculum and to inspire and enthuse young people about STEM subjects and the career opportunities they offer.
All Ambassadors involved in the programme are volunteers employed across a broad spectrum of STEM disciplines and careers – at all levels. Ambassadors undergo a brief induction, which provides helpful hints on communicating with young people and working with schools, and are given a Criminal Records Bureau check, which is necessary for working with young people.
Once they are fully registered, Ambassadors can take part in lots of different exciting, hands-on activities, from building robots to helping with engineering clubs, all organised by the local SETPOINT – organisations skilled in facilitating education and business links. You’ll be part of a national programme and will get the chance to meet with other like-minded Ambassadors in your area, and it’s a great way further to develop your own communication and presentation skills.
Some SEAs are able to work once or twich a month with a local school, others support the occasional event such as an Engineering Challenge Day or a Regional Young Engineers' Final, acting as advisers or judges.
If you are interested in becoming an Ambassador, or would like to find out more about the scheme, please visit www.setnet.org.uk where you can download a registration form.