Energy & Utility Skills Group has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s plans to place technical education on an equal footing with academic pathways, describing the commitment as a positive step towards building the skilled workforce needed to deliver the UK’s infrastructure, environmental and energy security ambitions.
The plans will introduce new technical education pathways for young people from age 14, combining academic learning with technical skills, work experience and stronger connections to employers. The Government says the changes are designed to ensure there are “no dead ends” for young people and to give technical and academic routes equal status.
Students will be able to study core subjects such as English, maths and science alongside high-quality technical education tailored to careers in key growth sectors, including engineering, healthcare, digital technology, artificial intelligence, clean energy and the creative industries.
The announcement aligns closely with priorities identified through the Energy & Utility Skills 2025-2030 Skills Strategy and recent Workforce Demand Estimates, which have highlighted the scale of workforce growth required across the energy and utilities sector over the coming decade and the many thousands of lives that can be changed by the career opportunities across the sector.
Clear career routes from age 14 will be critical to the success of the plans. Energy & Utility Skills Group is already progressing work on occupational mapping to improve understanding of the opportunities, skills and progression pathways available across the sector. The Group also works closely with The Careers & Enterprise company. This work will help ensure learners can navigate routes into skilled careers and employers can access the talent they need.
The announcement also comes against the backdrop of growing concern over the number of young people not in education, employment or training. Earlier this year, Energy & Utility Skills highlighted record Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) figures and the urgent need to connect more young people with rewarding careers across the sector. Both the Government’s reforms and the sector’s workforce priorities recognise the importance of ensuring young people can access meaningful routes into employment, training and long-term careers.
The recent successes of the Group’s initial Sector Entry pilots have shown that the energy, utility and supply chain sectors can play a central and leading role in reducing levels of unemployment and NEET. The Sector Entry model has delivered a completion to employment rate of over 80% and a growing number of employers are seeking to engage. Working with the Department for Work and Pensions the Group is seeking to extend the Sector Entry opportunity to more citizens across more postcodes UK-wide.
Employers have a central role to play in ensuring the reforms deliver lasting impact. Expanding apprenticeship opportunities, strengthening engagement with education providers and investing in workforce development will be essential if greater awareness of technical careers is to translate into increased recruitment and skills development.
Paul Cox, Energy & Utility Skills Group Chief Executive said:
“The Prime Minister’s announcement is an important moment of recognition that technical education must be valued alongside academic pathways if the UK is to develop the workforce it needs for the future. For the energy, utility and supply chain sectors, success will depend on creating clear career pathways, responding to employer demand and ensuring there is sufficient capacity and capability across the training system to develop the next generation of skilled, motivated and ambitious workers.
Energy & Utility Skills Group looks forward to working with its members, industry, training providers and governments to ensure the reforms translate into increased opportunities for learners and deliver the safe, skilled and sustainable talent pipeline for the sector.”
To discuss how we can work together to support clearer career pathways, sector entry opportunities or workforce planning across the sector, contact us at collaborate@euskills.co.uk.
