As the standards-setting body and employer representative for the energy and utilities sector, Energy & Utility Skills is leading work on two key initiatives: changes to the issuing of Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards and the industry-wide ‘Super Sector’ project.
Background
In October 2024, the Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG) was formally launched as the updated structure of the Competence Steering Group. Comprising 15 working groups representing all Construction and the Built Environment, its purpose is to drive higher standards of skills, safety, and professionalism. Within this structure, Sector Lead Group 10 represents Installation and Maintenance.
The Super Sector Project was created in direct response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s ‘Building a Safer Future’ report, published after the Grenfell Tower tragedy. It addresses the fragmented and inconsistent approach to competence across the sector, with a mission to create, align, and embed industry-wide competence frameworks that are consistent, practical, and recognised across all relevant trades.
By standardising competence requirements for each role and rolling these frameworks out at scale, the project aims to remove ambiguity, close skills gaps, and provide a trusted benchmark for safety and quality — ensuring that every individual and organisation can demonstrate the skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours required to deliver work to the highest standards.
Objectives:
- Develop industry-agreed competence statements covering Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Behaviours (SKEB) for each role.
- Set minimum knowledge and skills requirements to meet regulatory expectations.
- Establish a consistent, recognised approach to competence across installation and maintenance roles.
Benefits:
- Alignment with the Building Safety Act 2022 and related regulations.
- Clear, consistent competence benchmarks that raise industry standards.
- Stronger collaboration between sectors, trade associations, and employers.
- Empowering individuals to take ownership of their professional competence.
Link to CSCS Utilities
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) provides proof of competence for workers on construction sites. For utilities-related roles, the Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR) is the designated CSCS Alliance Partner, issuing cards for work in electricity, gas, water, waste, wastewater, drainage, and telecommunications.
Energy & Utility Skills Role
As the skills body for the energy and utilities sector, Energy & Utility Skills will work with employers to identify job roles requiring CSCS cards and to set industry-agreed standards and competence requirements. Our work on the Super Sector Project is closing skills gaps, improving safety, and enabling faster, more confident workforce deployment. This ensures the sector has a workforce that is competent, trusted, and ready to deliver to the highest standards.
As part of this, we have established the Utilities Sector Representative Organisation (USRO) to represent organisations undertaking utilities activities on construction sites, including CSCS-controlled sites. If you are interested in learning more about the work of USRO and consider joining it, please contact Phillip Bryant at phillip.bryant@euskills.co.uk.
