Energy security depends upon plugging skills gap for civil engineering jobs
Plans to secure the UK's future energy resources will need to boost the UK's skills base for civil engineering jobs to be effective according to The Energy Institute.
Last week, the OFGEM report on energy security was published, recommending that market reforms and up to £200bn in investment was needed to maintain the UK's energy supplies, keep energy affordable to the public and reach climate change targets. In response to the report, The Energy Institute (EI) has warned that these goals will only be achievable if there are enough people qualified and trained for the necessary civil engineering jobs.
James Smith, chairman of Shell UK and president of the EI, said "A major rebuild of Britain's energy system will need large numbers of people with science and engineering skills to get the job done. This spells opportunity for rewarding careers and job satisfaction."
"It also means we have to close the skills gap fast. The skills needed are diverse, so apprenticeships for craft skills matter every bit as much as degrees in design engineering. "
A professional membership body for those working and studying in energy, the EI has previously raised concerns over the future of the UK's science and engineering skills base following research conducted in 2006. The research found that there was a steadily decreasing pool of new entrants to the energy market, accompanying a decrease in the numbers of Science, Engineering and Technology graduates choosing to enter a corresponding career.
At the same time, there has been increasing competition from other industries, such as the telecoms or transport sector, for these shortage skills.
Author: William Hobson
Keywords: civil engineering jobs