Conference Agenda

We look forward to welcoming you to the first Energy & Utility Skills Conference and Awards.

The Energy & Utility Skills Conference is dedicated to sharing knowledge, collaboration and excellence in the energy and utilities industries with a specific focus on the skills and job roles required as the UK seeks to achieve its Net Zero ambitions.

Immerse yourself in engaging conference sessions covering industry-wide topics and expert panel discussions. Listen to keynote speakers and take advantage of the opportunity to network with industry leaders.

Book your Conference and Awards Tickets

Agenda

Arrivals and Welcome

Guests can arrive at The Hilton Birmingham Metropole from 10:00 and network with other guests over tea and coffee. At 10:45, the conference will begin with opening remarks from Phil Beach CBE, Chief Executive, Energy & Utility Skills.

Taking on the Skills Gap

Presented by Mark Wild, CEO, SGN.

Mark Wild, CEO, SGN

The Skills Opportunities of Net Zero and Environmental Goals

Phil Beach CBE, Chief Executive at Energy & Utility Skills will discuss the current market conditions and what they mean for the sector and the skills landscape.

Phil Beach CBE, Chief Executive, Energy & Utility Skills

Skills and Education Landscape

Join us as we discuss the evolving education policy landscape.

The panel will be moderated by Stephen Barrett, Director of Membership and Strategic Engagement, Energy & Utility Skills.

Panellists:

Damien Yeates, CEO, Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

Robert Nitsch CBE, Recently Appointed CEO, Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB)

Carmel Grant, Skills Delivery Director, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE)

Lunch Break, Exhibition and Networking

During the lunch break, take some time to explore the exhibition stands and network with other guests.

Apprentice Panel

The Apprentice Panel will highlight the vital role apprenticeships play in shaping the future of the sector’s workforce. Apprentices will share insights into their journeys, the challenges faced, and accomplishments achieved within the energy and utilities sector.

The panel will be moderated by Stephen Barrett, Director of Membership and Strategic Engagement, Energy & Utility Skills.

Panellists:

Aimee Dickson, Workforce Renewals Graduate Apprentice, SP Energy Networks

Meg Ginsberg, Assistant Project Manager, South West Water

Kaya Tuncar, Mechanical Engineer, Cadent

Rebecca Harvey, Contract Communication Lead, Morrison Water Services

Regulators Panel

Engage with panellists from industry regulators as they discuss the size and scale of the workforce challenges from their perspective and what their role is in all of this.

The panel will be moderated by Janet Wood, Editor, New Power Magazine.

Panellists:

Susan Lavery, HR and Training Manager, Utility Regulator

Jo Nettleton, Chief Regulator, Environment Agency

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Exploring the intricate links between social impact commitment and sector needs, the panel will address the need for greater diversity and inclusion across the sector’s workforce.

The panel will be moderated by Louise Parry, Director of People & Organisational Development, Energy & Utility Skills.

Panellists:

Mac Alonge, CEO, The Equal Group

Rosie MacRae, Head of Inclusion and Diversity, SSE

Jo Butlin, Founder, Womens Utilities Network (WUN) and CEO, EnergyBridge

Dr Mark McBride-Wright, Founder & CEO, EqualEngineers

Sector Attraction

The Sector Attraction panel discussion will examine enduring themes across the election divide, identifying key challenges and industry competitors, and exploring successful case studies of organizations leading impactful sector attraction initiatives.

The panel will be moderated by Gemma Betney, Head of Workforce Demand and Resourcing, Anglian Water.

Panellists: