As the Prime Minister lands at COP28 leading energy union
Prospect has called for action on skills to ensure the UK can
meet its climate goals.
Action is need across the sector, both to make sure we have the
necessary skills in place, and so that those currently working in
high carbon jobs can transfer to the green economy.
A recent Prospect survey of workers in transmission and
distribution networks highlighted specific issues which were also
flagged in the recent Winser report. Without appropriate grid
upgrades renewables cannot contribute as much as they might to
the energy mix so action in this area is especially vital.
Prospect’s survey showed:
- More than two thirds (69%) of workers report skills shortages
or gaps in their organisation, with widespread concerns about a
lack of engineers.
- Four out of five (82%) say staffing levels are too low in
their workplace.
- Nearly two thirds (63%) currently have vacancies in their
team.
- Three quarters (74%) describe their workload as ‘heavy’ or
‘extremely heavy’ and excessive workloads are cited as the
biggest factor driving low staff morale.
Sue Ferns, Prospect’s Senior Deputy General Secretary,
said:
“Prospect members working in energy networks are at the forefront
of the battle to get the UK where it needs to be to deliver on
its climate ambition. That they have such serious concerns should
be hugely worrying to policy makers.
“They point to ‘dire skills shortages’, ‘chronic understaffing’
and organisations that are ‘woefully under resourced’. Without
action, this raises significant doubts about the capacity of
network companies to deliver net zero infrastructure.
“The government has pledged to do what it takes to deliver the
grid we need, but a plan for skills is sorely lacking. Delivering
net zero needs a coordinated plan, not just piecemeal
announcements whenever there is a global summit.
“If the Prime Minister is serious about being a global climate
leader then he also needs to be serious about the UK being a
global leader in skills.”
Ends
Note to editors
Prospect surveyed its more than 22,000 energy members and
received more than 10,000 responses including more than 1,000
solely in networks.
