Published on: May 16, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Paul Cox, Group Chief Executive of Energy & Utility Skills Group, contributed as a guest speaker at the ‘Grid and Networks 5: Workforce and the Grid – People and Skills’ panel, which formed part of the ‘Engineering a Net Zero Future’ programme at the All-Energy Exhibition and Conference, held on Thursday, 15 May 2025.
Representing an industry and membership body that collaborates closely with Government, employers, sector bodies and other organisations, Paul reaffirmed Energy & Utility Skills Group’s commitment to addressing the workforce and skills challenges essential for achieving government energy security targets and advancing a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous economy.
During the discussion, Paul identified several strategic themes recognised by industry leaders as fundamental to building a safe, skilled, and sustainable workforce. He highlighted the potential and opportunity of occupational mapping and standard setting, underlining their importance in improving sector-wide capability, operational efficiency, and workforce mobility.
Occupational mapping supports the comparison of roles across organisations, allowing for the identification of common responsibilities and distinct competencies. This facilitates targeted recruitment in areas where work activities align and enables the development of focused training pathways directly relevant to ensure safety and in meeting operational needs. The benefits of occupational mapping are significant. For the individual occupational maps can provide clarity as to their path to new roles and opportunities in the sector. Employers benefit through safety, pace and ROI. At a macro and ‘system’ level the sector stands to benefit from ever increasing trust and transferability noting that a modern career is one where an individual is likely to work with many employers in a sector.
Energy & Utility Skills’ role as the standard setting lead for the UK’s energy and utilities industries is critical to maintaining consistency and quality across the sector. By aligning workforce development strategies with robust, industry-approved standards, the sector can ensure safety, consistent quality, enhance public and employer trust, and build long-term confidence in the skills and professionalism of its people.
Emerging technologies, evolving job roles, and increasing pressure to deliver at pace present not only challenges, but also significant opportunities to strengthen the workforce and future-proof the sector. By enhancing the quality of training and achieving greater industry alignment, the sector can shape a safer, smarter, and more agile response to the demands of a cleaner, greener future.
Paul concluded by sharing the many examples of where occupational mapping is already being applied, developed and adopted by industry. Energy & Utility Skills Group are leading and facilitating multiple initiatives and partnerships with organisations such as the Construction Leadership Council, CSCS, Solar Energy UK, RenewableUK, National Grid, and stakeholders in Scotland. From these initiatives many lessons are being learnt that are supporting the constant evolution and development of this transformative way of thinking.
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