Wireline Issue 46 - Autumn 2019

He believes the industry will face growing competition from other sectors in the modern-day working world, forging their careers based on their specialist discipline rather than an individual industry. “I think young people are increasingly looking at opportunities across different industries, and that is something we need to take into account,” says John. Employers looking to recruit and retain staff will also have to be cognisant of the push towards decarbonisation and the challenges of meeting net zero. It’s no small issue, but something that John believes the industry can respond to positively. “What I would say is: ‘Come and join us, come and help us realise net-zero carbon as a reality. Work in this dynamic, technology-led industry that is going to be around for a long time to come.’” With 2025 just a few short years away, the seeds of any meaningful skills strategy must be sown now if the energy sector is to equip itself with the staff and knowledge it needs. Encouragingly, OPITO’s report and the subsequent routemap being developed will offer a positive pathway towards ensuring this is made a reality, and with the support of the UK’s supply chain companies, universities, trade groups, training providers and governments, the future of the digitally native energy workforce looks assuredly bright.

2019–2025 Route Map

The 2019-2025 route map is in effect intended to be the hub of all relevant skills development activities. It is based on four central components: Retain, Retrain, Recruit and Renew. The first two of those are focused on those already working in the industry – the report estimates around 80% of those will still be active in the sector in 2025. The latter are all about bringing new people on board, either young people accessing one of the range of pathways into the industry or workers filling new jobs that will exist in the coming years. From these components flow a series of themes, activity areas and actions that together are designed to deliver a new-look development framework.

w ire lin e | A u t u m n 2 019 | 3 1