We’re pleased to announce that Energy & Utility Skills and CITB are launching the Utility Skills Employer Network. We are leading this 12-month initiative to deliver a new way of funding the right training courses for CITB registered Utilities employers.
Our members asked us if we could use our unique position to increase CITB levy investment in training. Maximising funding in sector-specific skills and training is a key priority for our members who represent critical national infrastructure organisations.
After exploring a range of options, we agreed with CITB that this funding initiative would work best for our members who are delighted, not least because this pilot has been designed and developed by them for wider industry benefit.
We have secured an initial £150,000 of CITB funding for CITB registered Utilities employers to use. Through this initiative we will provide employers with greater freedom to identify and fund their training needs, and simplify the funding process – we will do it for you. This has been warmly welcomed by our members and we very much look forward to rolling this out across energy and utility contractors more widely, paving the way for a more permanent solution.
“I’m delighted to see the launch of this pilot that gives employers in energy and utility industries greater control over the training that really matters to them.
This initiative is a direct result of a collaboration between Energy & Utility Skills and our members to address one of their key priorities; greater access to industrial training levy funds to meet high priority skills needs.
I hope that this pilot paves the way for a more permanent solution. This will be crucial if we are to upskill and reskill the supply chain to deliver current projects and future net zero and environmental priorities.”
Phil Beach, Chief Executive, Energy & Utility Skills
Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive added: “I’m really excited about this pilot – this is about putting employers in the driving seat to identify and address their skills challenges and how best CITB can align our funding and resources to support their skills needs. I would encourage employers to get involved and use their voice to shape training provision”.
The energy and utilities sector provides essential services to UK homes and businesses, and is facing over 277,000 vacancies by the end of the decade. New skills are needed to meet net zero utilities industry commitments aimed at tackling the climate emergency, and training and apprenticeships play a large part in ensuring our critical industries are sustainable for the future.
If you are a CITB registered Utilities employer and want to get involved, please email CITBlevy@euskills.co.uk and one of our team will be in touch.
The next Employer Network Meeting will be taking place on Tuesday 12 September, 10:00 – 11:00 am. Please email CITBlevy@euskills.co.uk to register your interest.