NORTHUMBRIAN Water and Northern Powergrid are joining energy and utilities businesses from across the country to fill the sector’s future skills gap.

In a bid to ensure that the sector retains a safe, skilled, resilient and sustainable workforce, industry leaders have come together to form the Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership.

This is the first ever joint workforce renewal and skills strategy for the sector.

In order to provide the essential services its customers seek and the infrastructure the UK needs for its economic growth, the energy and utilities sector requires 221,000 new recruits in the next 10 years.

Heidi Mottram, chief executive of Northumbrian Water, said: “Attracting people with the right skills to meet the future needs of the energy and utilities sector is a challenge we all face and the importance of taking collective action cannot be underestimated. This strategy is a welcome development and a timely one.

“This is an exciting time, our industry offers a variety of fantastic career opportunities and, as we face future anticipated skills gaps and shortages we need to take action now to highlight the many opportunities on offer.”

Phil Jones, president and chief executive of Northern Powergrid, the region’s electricity distributor, said: “Put simply: attracting the significant number of skilled people that we need in our sector is a significant challenge – and there is strength in numbers.

“Being part of the Energy and Utilities Skills Partnership and supporting the workforce renewal and skills strategy gives both the energy industry – and Northern Powergrid – a platform to collectively address the long-term workforce challenges we face.”

The partnership has already received a commitment from 20 utility-based businesses to a 12-month pilot programme, which will encourage people into industry careers and develop a future talent pool.