The sector-wide Inclusion Commitment, facilitated by The Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership (EUSP), was introduced in 2019 with 32 signatories. It is a long-term commitment to attracting more diverse talent into the sector, ensuring the sector becomes more inclusive. Just over two years on, the principles of the landmark commitment continue to resonate across the sector and attract new organisations wishing to drive transparency and positive change.
The commitment challenges the sector to act and think differently and aims to inspire and connect with underrepresented groups, attracting new talent and ideas into the energy and utilities sector. Uniper, like all signatories before it, has signed up to the commitment’s five key inclusion principles:
- Work collaboratively as a sector to drive change, challenging ourselves to do things differently, by sharing best practice and delivering sector priorities.
- Focus on inclusion in its entirety, however our sector history requires targeted sector action to start by increasing gender, BAME and disability workforce representation.
- Measure and be transparent about progress in our individual organisations and as a sector.
- Ensure we create the culture we need to attract the workforce of tomorrow.
- Be inclusive in the way we attract, recruit and develop our people.
Angela Mitchell, Uniper UK Ltd Board Member and UK HR Manager, said,
“Uniper in the UK is proud to sign up to the principles of the Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership Inclusion Commitment. Together we can make a positive change to our industry and Uniper in the UK have started their journey by implementing a 5-year vision for diversity and inclusion. We are committed to making Uniper a place where people feel a real sense of belonging and new diverse talent is inspired to join us and help build a better future and deliver our strategy: Empower Energy Evolution.”
Louise Parry, Director of People & Organisational Development at Energy & Utility Skills, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Uniper to the Inclusion Commitment. Reaching 50 signatory organisations is a significant milestone and is testament to the sector’s widespread commitment to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects the communities the sector serves. The signatories recognise that by taking collaborative action we can share best practise, continue to increase the pace of change, and create a long-lasting positive impact.”
Signatories to the commitment have set out their ambition to enhance the diversity of their workforces and be ever more inclusive. Energy and utilities companies are at the forefront of delivering the Government’s 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution to achieve net zero carbon targets in 2050. The commitment is a framework for collective action and the sector is committed to action on diversity and inclusion, working together to share best practice and build on the great work already in progress.