Standard Setting
Setting and maintaining industry standards for the UK’s energy, water, and waste sectors.
Standard Setting in Energy and Utilities Industries
The Energy & Utility Skills Group is the standard-setting lead for the UK’s energy, water, and waste sectors. We convene employers, regulators, and training partners to define what good looks like and to keep it consistent across the four nations. Our focus is simple. Set clear, industry-approved standards. Assure quality through robust governance. Enable people and organisations to perform safely, competently, and confidently.
Why Standards Matter
The sector is at a pivotal moment, with ambitious growth, continuous improvement, environmental, and social goals. Meeting them requires a safe, skilled, agile, and inclusive workforce. Standards turn ambition into action and are the foundation for delivery. They promote safety and reliability, give employers and the public confidence, and support fair, portable recognition of skills. They also provide a stable foundation for qualifications, apprenticeships, and continuing professional development, so that careers progress and talent stays in the sector.
What We Do
We lead the end-to-end lifecycle of industry standards, working with senior leaders and technical experts to identify need, define outcomes, and maintain currency. This includes:
- Occupational profiling and role definition
- Competence frameworks and assessment approaches
- Alignment to national qualification frameworks and apprenticeship routes
- Quality assurance and continuous improvement, supported by independent oversight
- Clear guidance for employers, providers, and assessors
Our expert work is evidence-led, industry informed, and delivery-focused. We use sector data and employer insight to ensure standards reflect real-world practice and future needs, including digital, safety, environmental, and customer requirements.
How we work with partners
We collaborate with government departments, regulators, professional bodies, and the wider supply chain to keep standards relevant and implementable. Engagement spans policy development, workforce planning, and assurance. By working together we position the energy, water, and waste sectors as cornerstones of the UK economy, strengthening infrastructure, protecting natural habitats, and improving lives nationwide.
Occupational Mapping
Energy & Utility Skills is developing a comprehensive occupational mapping framework for industry. The mapping connects roles, competencies, training, and qualifications to create clear, navigable pathways. It bridges the gap between learning and work, supports targeted recruitment and reskilling, and helps employers deploy people where they create the greatest value. The framework will be open source and free to use, giving employers, training providers, and policymakers the clarity they need to drive meaningful change.
Get Involved
If you are an employer, provider, or industry partner and want to help shape and adopt sector standards, we would like to hear from you. Please email, call or fill in the online form below.
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