Rethinking the skills conundrum: In Focus - Energy
We’ll be exploring the skills conundrum across the UK, bringing you the latest sector insights direct from our teams on-site with their clients – featuring video and commentary from our experts in sustainability, social value, supply chain, talent acquisition and sector specialisms on how we can collectively address rising skills shortages through a demand-led skills revolution.
Early teamwork ignites energy innovation
Rick Gray, Sector Lead - Energy at ISG, shares his thoughts on the company’s latest white paper on ‘Rethinking the skills conundrum’ and how we can unlock built environment data to join forces and help equip the UK with the skills required to match future industry demand.
The urgency is undeniable. The clock ticks down on climate change, while our energy systems struggle to keep pace with growing demand. Energy system aspirations that are easy to vocalise – are much harder to bring onstream – often trapped in a labyrinth of bureaucracy and financial uncertainty. But there is a way through this potential energy quagmire, and far from a radical solution – it’s based around more effective and earlier stage collaboration across the entire stakeholder landscape.
Let’s first address the financial element. Today there are a wealth of projects stuck in pre-investment limbo and it’s undeniable that continued political and economic uncertainties are a destabilising force on planned projects. Despite initial optimism, only a relatively small percentage of projects are fully funded and passing through ‘Final Investment Decision’ (FID). Figures shared by the Energy Supply Chain Trade Association showed some worrying global trends, with 34% of Nuclear New Build reaching FID and only 3% of carbon capture, 5% of hydrogen and 2% of floating offshore moving to delivery.
So how do we work together as an industry to bring certainty to investment decisions? I believe coming together earlier in the programme lifecycle, to implement collaborative forms of engagement and working together to develop the skills and capabilities required to deliver could be transformative.
"We need to unleash the real value from our collaborations, and this means allowing innovation and creativity to thrive. Early contractor engagement unlocks so many more opportunities for delivery excellence, but so too does the right procurement environment. "
Rick Gray, Sector Lead - Energy, ISG
Early teamwork ignites energy innovation
Rick Gray, Sector Lead - Energy, provides insight into his thoughts on reading ISG's latest Wide Angle report 'Rethinking the skills conundrum'.
The Noah and Kevin Costner paradigm - 2023 reboot
Gary Sweeney, Sector Director for Future Mobility and Manufacturing, delves into the UK's energy revolution and the growth of industries like EV battery technology, emphasising the need for a parallel focus on nurturing a skilled domestic supply chain.
Low-carbon retrofit
As organisations are transitioning from short-term decision-making to long-term preparation for a new reality, underpinned by the ESG agenda as the driving force, our teams offer the expertise and knowledge to assist you in reaching your carbon reduction goals for your estate. We can help you set new standards for low energy use, carbon emissions and impact on natural resources.
Our low-carbon retrofit offering will ensure that your building stays ahead of energy usage legislation and maximises the performance of your estates and to meet your commitments and deliver long-term return on investment.
Skills for a thriving future in the UK energy sector
Rick Gray, Sector Lead - Energy, provides insight into his thoughts on reading ISG's latest Wide Angle report 'Rethinking the skills conundrum'.
If this has sparked your interest in working for an organisation where you can make a difference to what we build and how we build it, with ESG firmly in focus, then...
Matching aspirations to pathways to overcome the skills shortage
ISG’s Talent Development Director, Sarah McKinlay, commented “ISG’s ‘Rethinking the Skills Conundrum’ report highlights the importance young people, and their parents, put on finding a career that suits their interests, has an impact on society, and provides them the opportunity to use their skills whilst being fairly paid for their contribution.“ISG’s aim is to be an outstanding employer, empowering our people to be the best they can be, and our early careers programmes support this ambition, and the aspirations of the young people surveyed in our research. It’s essential that young people have the opportunity to gain experience and continually learn new skills. Our participation in Open Doors and our early careers programmes provide both this insight, and a focus on gaining inspiring first-hand experience”.
Construction: the great overlooked tool in our strategic workforce planning
Our latest Wide Angle, ‘Rethinking the skills conundrum’, seeks to connect the dots between people, place and productivity.
Discover Wide Angle
Through Wide Angle, we work with some of the brightest minds across the construction landscape and beyond, bringing together leaders, experts and specialists to explore the topics, insights and research that really matter, now and in the future.
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