OilVoice - Energy Institute Urges New DECC Team to Support Skills Development

Energy Institute Urges New DECC Team to Support Skills Development

Monday, May 17, 2010

The new DECC team's energy and low carbon agenda must put skills firmly in the picture, advises the Energy Institute

The Energy Institute (EI) congratulates Chris Huhne MP, Charles Hendry MP and Gregory Barker MP on their appointments at the Department of Energy and Climate Change and looks forward to working with them in supporting energy policy decisions with independent expert advice on any aspects of energy supply, use and demand management.

The new Government's commitment to developing a low carbon economy and to supporting clean energy generation and energy efficiency measures is particularly welcome. However, it is essential that skills development, especially in science and engineering, is fully integrated into the policy package to ensure that the energy industry can deliver on the Government's strategy.

'Britain's energy system needs a major rebuild to respond to future demand whilst meeting climate change targets.' said James Smith FEI, Chairman of Shell UK and EI President. 'The industry will need large numbers of people with science and engineering skills coming in very soon to get the job done. The skills required are diverse, so apprenticeships for craft skills matter every bit as much as degrees in energy engineering. Closing the predicted science and engineering skills gap in the near future is a big job for government, industry, schools and universities.'

'As the professional body for the industry, the EI promotes careers in the energy sector', added Louise Kingham FEI, EI Chief Executive. 'An Ipsos MORI survey commissioned by the EI revealed a high level of job satisfaction among energy sector employees, mostly due to finding the industry interesting and fulfilling to work for'.

'As an independent organisation, we are well placed to assist Government in the partnership between the new Ministerial team and officials with impartial specialist advice, analysis and implementation support to make a low carbon economy a reality.'

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